ODOT: Innerbelt Bridge May Not Be Savable

CLEVELAND -- The Innerbelt Bridge has reopened after being closed overnight for testing and observation.

Last week, officials with the Ohio Department of Transportation thought the lanes would reopen, but now officials are saying motorist should get used to the alternate routes.

Overnight, ODOT installed about 75 sensors to measure the rust and corrosion on the bridge.

Over the next four days, engineers will analyze the data to project how severe this damage is and how to go about fixing it.

If the results are not good this repair project could take a lot longer than expected.

"There is not an end in sight unfortunately," said Joceyln Clemings of ODOT. "If we get really good results from this, we can open all the lanes then by all means we would. I don't know if that is in the cards for us. I would like to err on the side of caution and say prepare to keep those lanes closed for some time."

The analysis of the bridge could also affect the complete rehabilitation project slated for 2009.

As of right now they want to go ahead with the project, but ODOT says the bridge may be too far gone to save.