BEATRICE — Nebraska Department of Transportation officials have ordered a southeast Nebraska highway bridge closed, over safety concerns.

During a planned routine bridge inspection on Wednesday, an inspection team found safety concerns with the structure, located in Richardson County near Salem on Nebraska Highway 8.   The bridge crosses the Big Nemaha River. 

NDOT closed the bridge until further evaluation and assessment can be made. Officials from the NDOT Bridge Division will be on site to do further evaluation and assess the future use of the structure.

NDOT officials plan to release further information later.