Red Covered Bridge moves closer to construction

Red Covered Bridge moves closer to construction

Plans to renovate Princeton's Red Covered Bridge will transition from pen and paper to hammer and nail soon.

With the detailed construction plans wrapped up, the 163-year-old structure was advertised on June 26 to request bids for the July 31 construction letting. Depending on the results of the winning bid being approved and awarded, procurement of needed materials, and other factors, work to bring the bridge back to service could begin this fall and will take several months to complete.

IDOT's District 3, which is managing the project, has been preparing for this milestone after the bridge, located on Bureau County Road 1950 E north of Princeton, suffered extensive damage after it was hit by a truck in 2023. After closing the bridge and assessing the damage, the district has been guiding the project through Phase I preliminary engineering and Phase II design and plan preparation.

In IDOT's most recent multiyear program, 1 million is identified to pay for repairs and upgrades, including:

• Complete replacement of the roof and roof cross bracing.
• Replacement of damaged roof cross bracing rods, floor beams and siding.
• Replacement of all the existing lighting and wiring.
• Upgrading fire suppression piping and security cameras.
• Applying a fire-resistant coating on the interior of the structure, painting the exterior and making repairs and upgrades to the pump house.
• Additional signage on the roads approaching the bridge, as well as the replacement of all existing signs that warn drivers of the height restriction with new, high-visibility versions. Selected signs will be equipped with flashing beacons to attract additional attention.

Also planned is a vehicle height detection system on 1950 E Road that would activate flashing lights to warn truck drivers before approaching the 10-foot, 11-inch-tall bridge. District 3 confirmed with Dover Township, which manages the road, that IDOT will maintain the bridge warning signs and the over-height vehicle detection system.

The district sought and was granted approval from IDOT's Central Office to include proprietary items in the construction plans. Those items include equipment related to the fire alarm and fire suppression systems, video cameras, and over-height vehicle detection and warning systems. In addition, the district requested and received a waterway permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to perform work within Big Bureau Creek, where the bridge crosses.

Other tasks that were recently completed as part of Phase II included:

• On-site field review of the construction plans.
• Comments on the preliminary plans were provided to the design consultant.
• Final plans and specifications have been prepared by the design consultant and returned to IDOT.
• Completion of the construction cost estimate.

Built in 1863, the Red Covered Bridge has survived several threats, including arson, erosion and high winds. It also has endured several strikes by large trucks prior to the most recent strike.

Like many other covered bridges owned by the state, the Red Covered Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and protected under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. The distinction means any renovations are repairs are subject to strict preservation standards and additional review processes that add significantly extend the project's timeline.

It also has the distinction as the only state-owned covered bridge still open to traffic, accommodating an average of 275 vehicles a day when it was open.

In addition to vehicles, the bridge draws tourists from around the globe and serves as a picturesque backdrop for countless proms and weddings, serving as a point of pride for residents of Princeton and throughout Bureau County.