Stonelick Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Stonelick Covered Bridge
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Owensville, Ohio |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1878 |
| NRHP reference No. | 74001419 |
| Added to NRHP | September 10, 1974 |
The Stonelick Covered Bridge is a special one-lane bridge in Clermont County, Ohio. It crosses over Stonelick Creek. This historic covered bridge was built a long time ago, in 1878.
It is about 140 feet (43 meters) long. The bridge uses a strong design called a Howe truss to hold it up. This design uses both wood and metal parts. The Stonelick Covered Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 10, 1974. It is the last old covered bridge left in Clermont County.
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Challenges and Repairs
The Stonelick Covered Bridge has faced several challenges over the years. It has needed many repairs to keep it safe and standing.
Early Damage to the Bridge
In 1983, a large garbage truck accidentally broke through the bridge's floor. This caused serious damage. Later, in 1991, the bridge also had some fire damage.
To protect the bridge from nature, a project was done in 1999. Workers built a special wall along the creek bank. This wall helped stop the ground from washing away under the bridge.
Closing for Major Repairs
In May 2010, the bridge had to be closed to all vehicles. A very heavy truck had driven over it, badly damaging the floor and its supports.
At first, fixing the bridge was thought to cost about $1.2 million. The plan was to make it stronger so it could hold up to 12 tons. Before, it could only hold 3 tons.
Rebuilding the Bridge
Money and permission for the repairs were finally ready in 2013. The estimated cost for the work was updated to $720,000. Construction began in October 2013.
Workers put up a temporary steel frame under the bridge. This frame helped support the bridge during repairs. They also took off all the old outer walls. The plan was to replace the walls and roof. They would also add more support and new lights.
Unexpected Collapse and Reassembly
On February 11, 2014, something unexpected happened. While repairs were going on, the top part of the bridge suddenly collapsed. It fell into the creek bed below. Luckily, no workers were seriously hurt.
After the collapse, officials decided to continue fixing the bridge. They carefully took the entire bridge apart. Each piece was checked to see if it could be reused. The goal was to put the bridge back together as planned, using as many original parts as possible.
Reopening to Traffic
On February 1, 2015, the Stonelick Covered Bridge finally reopened to the public. It is still a one-lane bridge. Large trucks are still not allowed to cross it. However, it is now much stronger and can safely support vehicles weighing up to 8 tons.
