Daniel Carter Beard Bridge

The Daniel Carter Beard Bridge is a twin-span steel arch bridge crossing the Ohio River. It is frequently called the “Big Mac Bridge”, because the yellow arches remind the locals of the McDonalds’s Logo. The bridge is officially named after Daniel Carter Beard, who was the founder of the Boy Scouts of America and was born and raised nearby.

The bridge opened in 1976, with the southbound side opening in January, and the Northbound side opening in October. It was originally configured to carry three lanes in each direction, but in December 2000, the shoulder was converted to a fourth travel lane.

During the construction of the ramps (in 1973 and 1974), landslides were triggered causing property damage and the collapse of six buildings. It was proposed that earth be added at the base of the hillside to stabilize it, but this was rejected by the state, since this would require relocating highway ramps. Instead, the state opted to demolish the properties in the lower Mt. Adams neighborhood and build a conventional retaining wall. This led to controversy, as there was still a possibility of additional landslides. In 1980, this proved accurate, and additional land movement led to the demolition of 13 of the 27 buildings which were meant to be preserved.

On November 1, 2024, a fire erupted beneath the bridge. The fire spread rapidly, and ignited parts of the bridge’s underside, including netting and wiring. The intense heat compromised the structural elements, and the bridge was closed. The damage to the Northbound side was minor, and the bridge was reopened that night. However, the damage to the Southbound side was significant, and the bridge remained closed until February 9, 2025. During this time, seven steel girders were replaced, and the damaged deck was rebuilt. The fire was later ruled an act of arson, although the arsonist did not intend to damage the bridge.