The pedestrian sidewalk on the Ironton-Russell Bridge has been closed by the Ohio Department of Transportation due to aggressive behavior by peregrine falcons.

The birds, which are an endangered species, are nesting on the Ironton-Russell Bridge and have reportedly become aggressive toward pedestrians on the bridge. In an effort to reduce the risk of injury to anyone and to heighten safety, ODOT's Lawrence County Transportation Manager Cecil Townsend has closed the sidewalk to all pedestrians.

"This is a necessary safety measure that we must take due to recent reports of incidents on the bridge," said Townsend. "We will reopen the sidewalk once the menace has abated."