The Daniel Carter Beard Bridge (also known colloquially as the Big Mac Bridge), is a twin span steel tied arch bridge crossing the Ohio River in Cincinnati, Ohio. It carries Interstate 471 between Cincinnati, Ohio, and Newport, Kentucky. As to the origin of this nickname, its yellow arches are similar to the "Golden Arches" logo of McDonald's restaurant. The nickname was coined by local residents after the bridge's golden arches were constructed. McDonald's considered opening a restaurant at the base after the nickname caught on, but never went to construction. This bridge has a main span of 750 feet and has a total span of 2100 feet. It is named in honor of Daniel Carter Beard, the founder of the Sons of Daniel Boone and one of the founders of the Boy Scouts of America.
The bridge was originally designed by Hazelet + Erdal, now URS Corporation.
The bridge was originally configured with 3 lanes and an emergency shoulder on each span. In December 2000, with the completion of a reconstruction project on the 3rd Street Viaduct approach, the bridge was reconfigured to 4 lanes on each span.
Famous quotes containing the words daniel, carter, beard and/or bridge:
“When winter snows upon thy sable hairs,
And frost of age hath nipped thy beauties near;
When dark shall seem thy day that never clears,
And all lies withered that was held so dear,
Then take this picture which I here present thee,
Limned with a pencil not all unworthy;”
—Samuel Daniel (1562–1619)
“I hate to see complacency prevail in our lives when it’s so directly contrary to the teaching of Christ.”
—Jimmy Carter (James Earl Carter, Jr.)
“A beard signifies lice, not brains.”
—Greek proverb.
“Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.”
—Paul Simon (b. 1949)