Interstate 471 joins U.S. 27 and Interstate 275 south of Newport, Kentucky with downtown Cincinnati and Interstate 71 & U.S. 50. The freeway spans the Ohio River on the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge, a 1970s-constructed tied-arch bridge. Opened in 1977, the bridge was designated a part of Interstate 471 in 1981. Carrying four lanes in each direction, the spans travel 2,100 feet in length with a 750 foot main span.
Interstate 471 North
Interstate 471 spans the Dan Beard Bridge across the Ohio River into eastern reaches of downtown Cincinnati. Exit 6A joins the span with U.S. 50 (Fort Washington Way), a freeway connector between Interstate 71 and Columbia Parkway. Interests to Interstate 71 south to Interstate 75 must use U.S. 50 (Fort Washington Way) west to make the connection. Photo taken 11/14/04.
Columbia Parkway passes over in the background from 5th Street and downtown ahead of its merge with U.S. 50 east. U.S. 50 follows Columbia Parkway southeast to Mt. Adams and Linwood in east Cincinnati. Connections with U.S. 52 (Eastern Avenue) east lead drivers southward to Lunken Airport. U.S. 50 (Fort Washington Way) west meanwhile merges with Interstate 71 south ahead of their interchange with Interstate 75. Ramp connections with 3rd Street west lead drivers to Great American Ballpark and Paul Brown Stadium on the Cincinnati Riverfront. Photo taken 11/14/04.
Exit 6B arcs westward to the intersection of 6th and Broadway Streets at the Cincinnati central business district. Sixth Street heads through downtown and meets U.S. 27 and 42 at Plum Street and Central Avenue. Photo taken 11/14/04.
Exit 7 represents the final departure point of Interstate 471 before the freeway defaults onto Interstate 71 north to Norwood and Montgomery. A partial "Y" interchange joins the freeway north end with Liberty Street at U.S. 42 (Reading Road). Photo taken 11/14/04.
Interstate 471 merges with Interstate 71 at a partial "Y" interchange of its own, adjacent to Exit 7 to Liberty Street. Liberty Street stems west from U.S. 42 (Reading Road) to Prospect Hill and the Over-The-Rhine community north of downtown. U.S. 42 follows Interstate 71 northward from downtown and Pendleton to Mount Auburn and Avondale, meeting the freeway at Exit 2. Photo taken 11/14/04.
Interstate 471 South
Ramps that form Interstate 471's southbound beginning include those from Liberty Street and U.S. 42 (Reading Road), 5th Street east, Columbia Parkway west, and Interstate 71 south (Exit 1J). Pictured here is the 0.75-mile guide sign for Exit 5 (Park Avenue north to Kentucky 8 [Dave Cowens Drive]). Passing overhead is Columbia Parkway ahead of its merge with U.S. 50 (Fort Washington Way) east. Photo taken 11/14/04.
A closer look at the Columbia Parkway viaduct over Interstate 471 south. U.S. 50 (Fort Washington Way) crosses in the background, adding additional traffic from the connection with Interstate 71 north & U.S. 50 east. Photo taken 11/14/04.
Scenes pertaining to Interstate 471
U.S. 42 (Reading Road) northbound meets the north end of Interstate 471 at Liberty Street. A partial "Y" interchange constitutes the north end of the freeway from Liberty Street, adjacent to Interstate 71. The freeway travels south from here directly into Newport, Kentucky with no other access to downtown Cincinnati. Photo taken 11/14/04.
