Motorists in Mower County should be alert for lane closures as the Minnesota Department of Transportation begins bridge inspections of state, city and county bridges.

MnDOT bridge inspectors will evaluate approximately 390 structures for MnDOT and 490 bridges for cities and counties in southeast Minnesota this season. These inspections are routine and ensure safety and monitor the effects of traffic, weather and other elements on the structure.

Snooper truck inspections will begin Wednesday on nine bridges in Rice County. A snooper truck is a specialty vehicle that has a multi-jointed arm with a basket attached at the end to hold the bridge inspectors.

The equipment allows the inspection team to maneuver under the bridge, while the truck is parked on the bridge deck. Motorists should watch for lane closures when bridges are scheduled for inspection.

Bridges and structures in Mower County will be inspected later in the month of April and include:

Mower County on April 23-24

• Township Road 107 over Bear Creek, 0.3 mile north of Mower Co Rd 2.

• Mower County Road 14 over Upper Iowa River, 0.2 mile north of Hwy. 56.

• Mower County Road 12 over Upper Iowa River, 0.7 mile north of Hwy. 56.

• Township Road 61 over Wapsipinicon River, 1.1 mile west of Mower County Road 17.

• Township Road 266 over Roberts Creek, 0.8 mile east of Mower County Road 16.

• Township Road 141 over Roberts Creek, 0.8 mile north of Mower County Road 2.

• Mower Co Rd 2 over Cedar River, 0.5 mile east of Mower Co Rd 25

Once the work in the counties is completed, motorists will encounter MnDOT bridge inspectors on state highways in southeast Minnesota in the snooper truck from late April through May 8. MnDOT will be inspecting its Mississippi River bridges in June.

MnDOT urges motorists to always be attentive, drive with caution, slow down in work zones and never enter a road blocked with barriers or cones.

For real-time traffic and travel information in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org or get the free smartphone app at Google Play or the App Store.