T-L Photo/SHELLEY HANSON THE ENTRANCE to the footbridge over Ohio 7 in Martins Ferry can be seen near the now-closed East Ohio Regional Hospital.

MARTINS FERRY — Work to repair and replace a damaged I-beam and cross beams on the footbridge that spans Ohio 7 in Martins Ferry now is complete.

The work became necessary after a vehicle transporting a crane struck the bridge above on Sept. 27. The accident shut down the highway for a few hours while first responders cleared the scene. One vehicle received minor damage when debris fell, but no one was injured in the accident.

The Ohio Department of Transportation hired Ruhlin Co. of Sharon Center, Ohio, to do the job, which included doing some heat-straightening on the beam and replacement of some of the steel with new.

“Heat straightening and beam replacement is complete. Traffic is out of the crossover as of (Tuesday) and one lane in each direction will be maintained,” said Lauren Borell, ODOT District 11 spokeswoman.

“This week crews will be working to replace the raised concrete medians that had to be removed for the crossovers,” she said. “Those will be poured Thursday and Friday so they can cure over the weekend. Barrier wall is expected to be removed next Tuesday and all lanes restored.

“Next spring the remaining work will be to paint the beam since that cannot be completed this time of year.”

During the prior work lane restrictions occurred, causing some traffic backups at times. The footbridge, installed in 1968, provides access to the city’s industrial park area and Martins Ferry City School District’s football stadium. During football season many residents and others take advantage of the footbridge to reach the stadium instead of having drive their vehicles to First Street and park.

Some football players also use the bridge to reach the field for practices.