The Look Out Point Bridge on Monroe Street in Butler is closed as crews make repairs to the structure's deck. A city official said the project should be done by the end of the week.

The Look Out Point Bridge on Monroe Street is closed as crews are working to make repairs to the structure's deck.

John Evans, the city zoning officer, said crews are doing spall repairs, which involve concrete patching of the deck.

The bridge was closed Monday for crews to begin work. It will remain closed until they are finished, which Evans said should be by the end of next week.

The spall repairs — a type of patching using cement — help maintain the safety of the bridge.

Without the work, the bridge likely would need weight limits due to deteriorating concrete.

The city did similar work on the structure three years ago.

While the repairs help keep the bridge stable, Evans said it is in need of a full deck replacement.

“Anytime you have spall repairs, it's an indication you need a new deck,” he said. “This is a temporary repair.”

Evans said a full replacement project would cost about $480,000.

“I would have liked to do it this year,” Evans said of the replacement. “You can keep putting patches, but eventually it'll need replaced.”

Evans said he hopes the city will replace the deck within 5 to 10 years.

While the road is closed to traffic, the city is working with the Butler Transit Authority to allow its buses to use the bridge so as not to disrupt routes.

Gary Metzinger Cement is the contractor for the $47,000 project.

The bridge was constructed in the 1970s.