Blatnik Bridge inspections are again expected to prompt delays and detours.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation will be conducting a routine inspection of the Blatnik Bridge beginning Monday.
Motorists can expect delays during the inspection as the outside lane and shoulder will be blocked off to allow crews to work. The inspection will take place Monday-Thursday between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to avoid rush hour traffic. They will finish the inspection the week of Aug. 25-Aug. 28, during those hours.
Also, during the inspection Tuesday, maintenance crews will be doing some repair work on the northbound U.S. Highway 53 ramp onto the bridge. Traffic will be detoured to city streets until the project is complete.
Scheduling for this inspection took place about a year ago, said Chris Ouellette, a spokeswoman for WisDOT.
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Under an agreement with the state of Minnesota the two transportation agencies share the responsibility for inspecting the bridge, with one agency doing the inspections one year and the other doing it the following.
The recent inspection by MinnDOT, which resulted in work to strengthen the gusset plates, was a result of orders given after the I-35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis and separate from the inspection agreement.
Ouellette said MinnDOT had requested WisDOT move up its inspection this year, but coordinating the availability of equipment and concerns about weight restrictions on the bridge prompted the Wisconsin agency to stick with its original schedule.
She said once the inspections are complete, a report on the bridge's condition will be given to the MinnDOT, which has primary responsibility for the bridge.
