As part of its regular maintenance program, the Ironton-Russell Bridge will undergo a series of inspections beginning next week, with periodic lane restrictions in effect during working hours.

As part of the state’s bridge inspection program, contractors for the Ohio Department of Transportation will conduct routine, annual field inspections of the Ironton-Russell Bridge in Lawrence County during the first two weeks of November.

It started Monday and continues through Friday, Nov. 13. Crews from Richland Engineering will perform physical inspections of the bridge that include the superstructure above the roadway, the floor beams and stringers below the deck, the pins and gusset plates.

Crews will work from approximately 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each day as weather permits, and during the first week of inspection, the bridge will be open to one lane of traffic and maintained by flaggers. Richland crews will continue inspections during the week of Nov. 9; however, the bridge will remain open to two-way traffic with no restrictions.

Although crews will attempt to minimize traffic impacts, lane restrictions may cause some periods of delay, and motorists are reminded to exercise additional caution when traveling in the work zone.

For information on additional lane and road closures caused by construction, accidents, flooding or other related traffic events throughout the state, visit ODOT on the web at www.Ohgo.com.