KENTUCKY — A crew of contractors have successfully stabilized the Grange City Covered Bridge, a treasured historic structure recently damaged from floodwaters.
What You Need To Know
- Grange City Covered Bridge has been stabilized
- Took on flood damage in May, repairs began in June
- Structure was built in the 1860s
- One of only a dozen covered bridges left in Kentucky
Located in Fleming County, the bridge was built in the 1860s, spanning Fox Creek just north of Grange City. The structure was inundated by floodwaters in late May.
“With the bridge now protectively cradled by steel support beams, this historic structure treasured by the people of Fleming County and the entire Buffalo Trace area is once again safe,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said.
The Grange City Covered Bridge is an 86-foot-long Burr truss structure built between 1865 and 1870. Closed to traffic in 1968, the bridge was placed on the National Register of Historic Placed in 1976.
Work was quick to begin on the $330,000 stabilization project — contractors for the project were selected in June.
The bridge's damage was assessed by state officials including Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray. Arnold Graton, a well-known covered bridge expert, was also consulted with to determine the proper short-term stabilization and long-term restoration efforts.
“We knew time was short and that expert help was needed to save this community landmark,” Gray said. “I’m proud of the work our KYTC team did to secure the bridge and we’re grateful for the partnership with Mr. Graton who quickly marshaled the help of his team to protect the structure.”
Phase one of the project including tying the bridge to temporary steel supports to prevent further slipping and strategically placing sandbags around the surrounding piers to stave off erosion.
In early November for phase two, Graton's team installed permanent steel beams across the length of Fox Creek flush with the bridge. Those supports were tied to the bridge to create a sturdy "exoskeleton of sorts" to cradle the bridge.
“We are pleased with the results,” said Danny Peake, KYTC’s project team leader. “While Mr. Graton called it one of the most difficult saves they have attempted, the bridge came back into place without damage. And, they are confident of its stability as the Cabinet works toward a future restoration project.”
Grange City's covered bridge is one of around a dozen covered bridges still standing in Kentucky, and one of three in Fleming County – known to tourists as “The Covered Bridge Capital of Kentucky.”
Bryce Shreve is a digital producer with Spectrum News 1 KY. He is a recent graduate of Indiana University Southeast and joined the staff in November, 2020.