The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has closed the Blaine Hill Bridge in Belmont County. The closure is due to the bridge’s condition and that drivers ignore the closure of westbound traffic on the bridge, according to officials.
Since last August, the bridge has been inspected every three months. On July 3, ODOT began monthly inspections and changed the traffic patterns on the bridge to include only one lane of eastbound traffic. Westbound traffic now must detour to Interstate 70.
“Unfortunately, the condition of the bridge continues to deteriorate, and as more and more drivers were ignoring the westbound closure, we felt it was no longer safe to allow traffic to use the bridge,” said ODOT District 11 deputy director Tom Corey. “We know this is an inconvenience to those who live and work nearby, but we will never compromise safety for convenience.”
The detour for westbound traffic is I-70 from Marion Street to the U.S. Route 40 National Road/County Road 214 exit to return to U.S. Route 40.
Eastbound traffic will enter I-70 from County Road 214 to the State Route 7 exit.
ODOT is working on plans for a temporary and long-term fix for the bridge.
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Source: ODOT, WTRF Wheeling
