Tri-State business feeling the impact of I-471 closure

CINCINNATI (WXIX) – The manager of a well-known restaurant sitting along the Ohio River in the East End is concerned about the road closures put in place after fire engulfed the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge.

Tag Gregory says some people canceled their reservations at the Montgomery Inn Boathouse on Friday but he says they are staying open and hopes people will still come out and enjoy the restaurant.

“It looked like something out of a movie. It didn’t look like something you would ever see, especially in our city, Cincinnati. It was a wild view, but hopefully they’ll get on it and make it safe and get everyone moving back across the bridge,” said Gregory.

Gregory says he like so many others was shocked to see flames coming from under the bridge.

He says he hurried to the restaurant to see what was going on.

Gregory says thankfully the boathouse is okay but he did say they took a hit Friday night as road closures made it difficult for people to get to the restaurant.

“We were set up for a pretty good Friday yesterday, we had about 200 covers cancel on us, last minute or no show. That’s a little devastating on a Friday night,” he said.

Pete Rose Way and Riverside Drive are closed right outside the Boathouse but Gregory says the restaurant is still accessible.

“If you take Columbia Parkway to Bains Street is a way to come from the West Side. If you’re coming from the East Side, Riverside Drive is still open,” he said.

Gregory says the restaurant is doing better now and GPS is rerouting customers around the roads that are shut down.

Still, he says he worries about the potential impact of the closures especially with the holiday season approaching.

“It’s a big concern for us. We’re still down here. We’re still booking parties, holiday parties for everyone. Hopefully by then everyone will be adapted, ready to come down here and celebrate their holiday parties with us,” Gregory said.

All but one lane of I-471 northbound is back open.

Officials with the Ohio Department of Transportation say southbound I-471 at the bridge crossing will remain closed until further notice.

ODOT has a new website for updates and urges the public to follow them on social media.

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