MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - A local bridge in Meridian Township is expected to be back open for traffic today.

According to the Ingham County Road Department the Okemos Road bridge near Mt. Hope Road is expected to be back to two northbound lanes and one southbound lane by 5 pm Monday, June 20th. The 56-year-old structure has been under repair since March.

The need for this repair came after the Road Department found severe damage to the support beams below the bridge during a routine inspection.

Cherie Ferro, a local resident, believes that although the bridge construction may have caused some inconvenience, it needed to be done.

"We need infrastructure," said Ferro. "It's inconvenienced some people but its a safety issue."

Work will continue under the bridge with an outside lane closure.

The opening of the lanes lane will lift the detour.