ODOT announces immediate closure of U.S. 40 Westbound at Blaine Hill for safety reasons

BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Transportation Eastern Ohio District 11 announced that effective immediately, U.S. Route 40 westbound is closed at the Blaine Hill bridge located west of Bridgeport between County Road 10 and County Road 214.

According to ODOT, this closure, made out of an abundance of caution, will remain in effect until further notice.

One lane will be maintained for eastbound traffic.

Westbound U.S. 40 traffic will detour via I-70 west from Marion Street to the U.S. 40 National Road/County Road 214 exit (Exit 220) to return to U.S. 40 west.

ODOT says that due to the age and condition of the bridge, built in 1932, ODOT had been inspecting it on a three-month cycle.

ODOT will now do monthly inspections on the structure.

ODOT is actively working on plans for both a temporary and long-term fix.

A timeline for those repairs is not available at this time.

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