WINONA — Starting today, motorists will encounter temporary lane closures and delays on the Minnesota Highway 43 bridge over the Mississippi River in Winona as crews continue to repair corroded areas of the bridge.
The work involves repairing 26 corroded areas, including reinforcing gusset plates and removing concrete areas on the deck's lower surface that are in poor condition.
The repairs are a preventative measure in response to an inspection completed in June, according to Minnesota Department of Transportation bridge engineer Duane Hill.
Traffic will be reduced to a single lane controlled by flaggers from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Both lanes will reopen each evening.
The work requiring lane closures is expected to be completed by mid-August, weather permitting. Additional repairs will be made below the bridge, but they won't affect traffic.
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Trucks weighing more than 40 tons, including commercial vehicles and agricultural equipment, continue to be restricted from crossing the bridge.
The bridge is scheduled for full rehabilitation or replacement in 2014.
