This photo shared by the Ohio Department of Transportation shows the scene after blasting work along Ohio 7 on Thursday “caused more material to fall than anticipated,” resulting in the highway being closed. (Photo Provided)

A portion of Ohio 7 between Steubenville and Mingo Junction is closed in both directions due to a significant rockfall, but the Ohio Department of Transportation anticipates it could reopen this afternoon.

The incident resulted from ongoing rockfall remediation work in the area, ODOT confirmed. Controlled blasts are occasionally used at the project site for excavation purposes on weekdays at noon.

According to the release, Thursday’s blasting “caused more material to fall than anticipated, resulting in significant rockfall onto both lanes of state Route 7.”

The department states that the road is now closed “for the foreseeable future,” and crews will be working constantly at the site to remove debris and restore the work zone. Additionally, pavement repairs may be necessary before the road reopens.

In the meantime, northbound traffic is being diverted to Ohio 151 west to U.S. 22 east to return to Ohio 7 north. Southbound traffic is being diverted on U.S. 22 west to Ohio 151 east to return to Ohio 7 south.

Currently in its construction phase and slated for completion June 30, 2025 the $23.04 million Ohio 7 rockfall remediation project has been utilizing blasting on the hillside.

The hillside in question was the cause of a March 2020 landslide that restricted Ohio 7 southbound to one lane. Following that slide, ODOT found the area to have “significant geotechnical depreciation,” leading to the remediation project, according to the department’s project website.