Police say that too many truckers tried to cross an historic suspension bridge on Wednesday, so they’ve opted to close it to all traffic until further notice.
Around 3 a.m. on Wednesday, November 11, a two truck crash involving hazmat sparked a massive fire on the Brent Spence Bridge that carries I-71 and I-75 and connects the cities of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Covington, Kentucky, over the Ohio River. Officials closed the bridge until further notice until inspectors can determine that the bridge is safe.
With the Brent Spence Bridge closed, many truckers opted for the Roebling Suspension Bridge, which also connects Cincinnati to Covington.
The Roebling Suspension Bridge, which was built in 1867, has an 11 ton weight limit, which police from both Cincinnati and Covington say that a large number of truck drivers chose to ignore on Wednesday.
If you are operating a tractor trailer or any heavy truck looking for a way to get around the I-75 closure of the Brent Spence Bridge, the Roebling Bridge is NOT an alternate route!!!
The Roebling Suspension Bridge was opened in 1867. It’s historic, so let’s keep it that way! pic.twitter.com/rL4MGsSX36
— Cincinnati Police Department (@CincyPD) November 11, 2020
By Wednesday night, the number of trucks attempting to use the bridge prompted police to shut down the structure entirely.
#BREAKING #UPDATE: Per Covington PD: “Due to the inordinate amount of tractor trailer operators who are refusing to follow the weight limit on the suspension bridge, the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge will also be closed in both directions until further notice.” #wlwt #wlwt pic.twitter.com/uETRYPvnWS
— Dan Griffin WLWT (@DanGriffinWLWT) November 12, 2020
The Covington Police Department said, “EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: ROEBLING SUSPENSION BRIDGE IS CLOSED. Due to numerous and continued violations of the bridge’s weight limits, the suspension bridge is closed until further. This is to ensure the safety of commuters and the integrity of the bridge. Sorry for the inconvenience.”
The Cincinnati Police Department also issued a call for commercial vehicle traffic to find alternate routes due to the bridge closures.
@CincyPD & @ODOT_Cincinnati are asking the ALL commercial traffic destined for Kentucky to use I-275 due to the current closure of the I-75 Brent Spence Bridge.
— Cincinnati Police Department (@CincyPD) November 11, 2020