I-75 CLOSED Both Directions at the Brent Spence Bridge

I-75 is closed in both directions at the Ohio River and is expected to remain shutdown for several hours. There was a crash about 3AM that involved two semis which caught fire. One of them was carrying hazardous chemicals.

Here is the latest update from Covington Fire: 

At approximately 0245 hrs, Covington Police Patrol Units responded to the northbound lanes of I-71/75 on the Brent Spence Bridge for a collision between two trucks. Upon arrival they found both trucks were fully engulfed in flames. The Covington Fire Department worked to extinguish the flames however, the fire continued to burn in excess of two hours. Due to the temperature and the duration of the fire, damage was also caused to the southbound lanes of the bridge on the upper deck. It was later discovered that one of the trucks was transporting a chemical called Potassium Hydroxide which contributed to the heat and duration of the fire. Investigators were able to locate the drivers of both vehicles and there were no injuries. There is no danger to the public from the burning of the Potassium Hydroxide. As of 0800 hrs this morning all traffic had been cleared off the bridge and crews continued to work the scene. Accident investigators from Covington Police and the Kenton County S.T.A.R. (Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction) Team are investigating this incident. Both north and southbound lanes of the bridge are shut down and will be for an extended period of time as crews clear the accident and inspect the bridge. At approximately 0845 this morning all emergency personnel were ordered off the bridge until the Brent Spence Bridge could be deemed structurally sound. The wreckage from the accident remains on the bridge. We are expecting the bridge to be closed for an extended period of time. At this point we are projecting today at a minimum. In addition, all river traffic in the downtown area has been shut down. It will take some time for inspectors to determine any damage to the structure of the bridge, to have crews clear the wreckage and then repair any damage to the bridge itself. We are asking everyone to plan ahead and find an alternate route to and from the downtown Cincinnati area. Northbound traffic has been diverted to I-275 eastbound to I471 north. This has caused an increase in traffic on these interstates. We ask drivers to avoid the area but if you must travel through, please allow extra time for travel and be patient. We will update the condition and closure timeframe of the Brent Spence Bridge as we get further information

Shot of Brent Spence Bridge from Cincinnati Flood Wall

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