One of three links from Jefferson County to Brooke County will remain closed at least through the weekend.

The Ft. Steuben Bridge was shut down Thursday after crews found a bump in the bridge deck during routine maintenance work.

Ohio Department of Transportation crews said some concrete slabs were moving more than they should. Tom Corey, of ODOT, said it was in the “best interest for public safety to get an inspection on the bridge and close it down.”

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Survey: Would you feel safe going over the Ft. Steuben Bridge?

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Friday, inspectors from Columbus spent hours taking pictures and video under the bridge to determine the severity of the problem and if there is a fix.

In the meantime many drivers are using the Veterans Memorial Bridge as a detour, but traffic was also snarled there Thursday night as repair work on that bridge forced traffic to be reduced to one lane.

Duke Rakich, of Steubenville, said he was stuck in traffic for about 25 minutes.

“I believe the timing of closing (the Ft. Steuben Bridge) at this time for whatever the reason and having the construction going on with (the Veterans Memorial Bridge) is a real hindrance to industry and the people of our city and county,” Rakich said.

Demolition of the Ft. Steuben Bridge is still scheduled for fall 2009.

Officials at the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Planning Commission said the issue validates an urgent need to build another bridge in the area, but they said that could take 12 to 15 years.

Stay with NEWS9 and WTOV9.com for continuing coverage.