Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) workers started inspecting state bridges shortly after the earthquake happened this morning.

IDOT officials say they started sending crews out as soon as the first reports came of the earthquake near West Salem in southeastern Illinois.

Spokesman Mike Claffey says that by late morning crews looked at all the states' major bridges and hadn't found any damage.

The late-morning aftershock forced crews out again to check out bridges, including spans across the Mississippi, Wabash and Ohio Rivers.

The Central Illinois district of IDOT is responsible for about 850 bridges and culverts. IDOT bridge inspection engineer Todd Landon says the crews' initial inspections show no problems or changes in the major river crossings so far.

He said, "We haven't had any changes in the major river crossings. I have other personnel looking at the smaller ones on the interstate. Pretty much all we found is areas where there is some loose concrete."

IDOTasks if anyone notices damage on the roads or bridges to call 309-671-4487.

Next, the agency is planning to check less-used bridges and
roads, and will check more than 1,000 bridges in southern and
central Illinois.

More than 2,000 bridges are being examined by inspectors in
Missouri.