T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA Signage is posted at the bottom of the Blaine Hill bridge to inform drivers that the bridge is now completely closed. The Ohio Department of Transportation has no timeline yet for repairs or other solutions.

BLAINE — The Blaine Hill bridge is now completely closed.

The Ohio Department of Transportation made the decision Monday afternoon. The closure is a result of both safety concerns regarding the structure’s condition and the public’s refusal to follow posted signage restricting the bridge to a single lane of eastbound traffic.

“The closure is due in part to the condition of the bridge and drivers continuing to ignore the closure of westbound traffic on the bridge,” ODOT states in a news release issued Monday.

“The official ODOT detour for westbound traffic is (Interstate) 70 from Marion Street to the U.S. 40 National Road/County Road 214 exit (Exit 220) to return to U.S. 40. Eastbound traffic will enter I-70 from County Road 214 to the US 250/State Route 7 exit (Exit 225) to Marion Street to return to U.S. 40.”

Built in 1932, the Blaine Hill bridge has been the topic of much debate within the Belmont County community in recent weeks.

ODOT closed westbound lanes of the bridge in July while working to address structural issues. When ODOT reduced the bridge to one lane, it created potential risks to the traveling public due to multiple drivers either not understanding or not obeying the posted signs.

This led to several close calls that could have resulted in life-threatening traffic collisions.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol has confirmed receiving multiple complaints about wrong-way traffic on the bridge after it was restricted to a single lane.

Over the weekend, the bridge was a hot topic on social media with some Belmont County residents calling for temporary traffic signals to be installed during the renovation. ODOT decided against the temporary lights due additional safety concerns.

“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,” ODOT District 11 Deputy Director Tom Corey said. “We know this is an inconvenience to those who live and work nearby, but we will never compromise safety for convenience.”

“The Blaine Hill Bridge has been inspected on a three-month cycle since August 23, 2023. On July 3, 2024, ODOT started monthly inspections and changed the traffic pattern on the bridge to include only one lane of eastbound traffic. Westbound traffic was forced to detour via I-70,” ODOT’s release notes.

While there isn’t officially a timeline, ODOT said it is working on a temporary solution as well as a long-term fix.