NEW PHILADELPHIA ‒ State Route 151 will be closed for an indefinite period between Bowerston and Scio in Harrison County because of structural issues will a small bridge on the highway.

The bridge is located between Timmerman Road and Conotton Road, about three miles east of Bowerston.

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"Our bridge inspectors were doing their yearly inspection on the bridge," said Lauren Borell, public information officer for District 11 of the Ohio Department of Transportation. "During the inspection they noticed a cracked structural member on the bridge, and they brought that to the attention of our bridge engineer. Upon further inspection, we determined that it was best for the safety of the public to close the bridge until we can determine a more permanent fix for this location."

She added, "Our goal is to get it open to one lane of traffic while we fix it. However, we don't know when that will be."

In the meantime, ODOT has set up a detour: State Route 212 west from Bowerston to state Route 164 near Leesville, then north on Route 164 to Perrysville in Carroll County and then south on state Route 332 to Route 151 near Scio and in reverse.

Borell had a reminder for motorists.

"As with any closure of a road, we understand the inconvenience it causes," she said. "However, it's critical that people follow the posted signage and do not drive around barricades. Please find an alternate route, whether it's our official detour or another alternative route to get where they're going. Those barricades are up for the safety of the public, and we ask that folks obey them and not drive around them."

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Route 151 closed between Bowerston and Scio in Harrison County