Dangerously cold temperatures early next week could slow the progress of repairs to the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.
The threat of wind chills as low as 5 to 15 degrees below zero is expected to limit reconstruction operations to daytime hours, a contrast from the round-the-clock repairs crews made this week, ODOT said in a release Friday.
Watch: Drone video shows damages to Daniel Carter Beard Bridge after massive fire in Cincinnati
“Regardless of the time of year, weather can have a significant impact on construction projects, and Mother Nature can be either friend or foe,” the release states.
The National Weather Service in Wilmington has also issued an extreme cold watch for all counties in Greater Cincinnati, set to begin at 1 a.m. Monday and end at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
Crews will be working throughout next week to complete the deck forms and install rebar to prepare the structure for pouring concrete on the bridge’s deck.
ODOT said seven custom-made, steel plate girders were installed at the bridge by Wednesday evening. After the girders were installed, crews began installing additional reinforcing steel plats and cross frames, along with scaffolding and forms that will be used to reconstruct the bridge deck.
“The scaffolding will provide access to the superstructure from below, and the forms will be used to frame the bridge for the concrete pours,” the release states. “Once the forms are complete, crews can install rebar in preparation for the first of two concrete pours.”
The southbound lanes of the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge, known locally as the Big Mac bridge, have been closed since a massive fire damaged them from underneath on Nov. 1. They are expected to remain closed through March and the resulting traffic delays have frustrated commuters.
All of the access points to southbound Interstate 471 in Ohio remain closed.
Officials estimated repairs would cost “at least $10 million” but said the actual amount would not be known until the work is done. A Hamilton County grand jury indicted four suspects in December. They’re collectively accused of starting the blaze and hindering fire investigators’ inquiry.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Big Mac bridge repair: Cold temperatures may slow reconstruction