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Motorists in southeast Minnesota should be alert and move over on the highways for Minnesota Department of Transportation bridge inspectors as they begin the season to evaluate approximately 1,110 bridges.

MnDOT bridge inspectors will evaluate approximately 450 structures for MnDOT and 560 bridges for cities and counties during this season. The inspections are routine to ensure safety and monitor the effects of traffic, weather and other elements on the structure.

The first inspections began in Olmsted County on April 1.

Next week, MnDOT will begin inspections on bridges that require the use of a snooper truck. The bridges have high vertical heights or span areas that make it difficult to inspect it underneath. 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.

Inspections with the snooper truck start the season and continue into May at 70 locations.