Federal funds to pay for repair of covered bridges – The Courier

UPPER SANDUSKY A Columbus company will refurbish two wooden covered bridges in Wyandot County for more than $1.2 million, with a majority of the funds provided by federal grants, according to The Progressor-Times newspaper in Carey. The Parker Covered Bridge, built in 1873, is a Howe truss design which spans 172 feet over the Sandusky River. It is located on Crane Township Highway 40, northeast of Upper Sandusky. Fire destroyed the original Parker Covered Bridge in May 1991. It was rebuilt and dedicated in October 1992. A committee, which was formed after the fire to raise money to restore the bridge, raised $150,000. The Swartz Covered Bridge, built in 1879, is a Howe truss design which spans 96 feet over the Sandusky River. It is located on Wyandot County Highway 130 in Antrim Township. The Swartz Covered Bridge was restored in the early 1990s. Righter Co., Columbus, with experience in restoration of wooden covered bridges, bid $607,988 for the Parker bridge restoration and $597,672 for the Swartz bridge restoration. The county will pay $60,283 as its share of the work on both bridges. A majority of the funds will be provided by the Federal Transportation Alternative Program. The rehabilitation of each bridge will include work on the wood trusses, replacement of damaged pieces, installation of new siding, new roofs and new floors. The Swartz bridge will have a new foundation, too. Each will be made more secure, too. Each bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in the 1970s.

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Federal funds to pay for repair of covered bridges - The Courier