State to look at area bridge

State officials are targeting 16 bridges throughout the state.

COLUMBUS (AP) — State transportation officials said Thursday they will target 16 bridges for inspection that most resemble the under-deck truss design of the I-35W bridge that collapsed into the Mississippi river in Minneapolis.

The refined list includes 12 bridges under authority of the Ohio Department of Transportation, three bridges under the authority of counties and one bridge under a city’s authority.

ODOT reviewed 181 bridges in the state and reduced the number to be inspected to 16 after through-truss and pony-truss bridges were eliminated.

State bridge inspectors will revisit seven of the 12 ODOT-maintained bridges over the next two weeks. Two bridges were inspected last week and the remaining bridges under ODOT authority have either been recently inspected or are scheduled for inspection by the end of next month.

County, city bridges

The three bridges on the list that are county-maintained are in Summit, Fairfield and Columbiana counties. The city of Ironton is responsible for maintaining the remaining bridge.

ODOT spokesman Scott Varner said the refined list provides local authorities with the most up-to-date information on which bridges are most similar to the I-35W bridge.

Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board said Wednesday that they found design flaws in the Minneapolis bridge’s gusset plates, which help tie the steel beams together.

ODOT says its inspectors examine the condition of the entire structure, including gusset plates, when inspecting steel truss bridges.