With summer here, drivers can expect delays and being rerouted as crews from the Ohio Department of Transportation will be out working on roadways and replacing bridges and culverts.

Starting this week, contractors for ODOT will be undertaking a bridge replacement project on State Route 217 in Lawrence County.

Crews from Armstrong Steel Erectors will be replacing a bridge at the route’s 6.95-mile marker near the community of Linnville. The project site is situated between County Road 64 (Venisonham-Camp Branch Road) and Township Road 79 (Ridge Baptist Church Road), just east of State Route 378.

Throughout construction, traffic will be maintained in one 10-foot lane with temporary signals, and while preliminary work has already begun, it is anticipated that the signals will be activated by mid-week.

Armstrong Steel was awarded a contract for approximately $1.127 million to complete the project. All work is scheduled to be completed in late October.

Crews from ODOT’s Lawrence County Highway Maintenance Facility will be replacing culverts on state routes 522 and 243 during the next two weeks, requiring weeklong closures of each route.

During this week, State Route 522 will be closed between the Scioto County line and State Route 650 so crews can replace a culvert at the 0.77-mile marker.

The closure will be in effect until 4 p.m. Friday or until all work is completed. While the route is closed, traffic will be detoured via State Route 522 and U.S. 52 in Scioto County and State Route 650 in Lawrence County.

Next week, State Route 243 will be closed just north (east) of County Road 55 (Deering-Middle Leatherwood Road), approximately two miles west of State Route 378 for a culvert replacement at the 9.74-mile marker. Throughout the week, motorists will be detoured via U.S. 52, State Route 141, State Route 217 and State Route 378.

For detailed traffic reports, go to OHGO.com.