Statement from
Clermont County Engineer Pat Manger:

February 14, 2014

In November 2013, Clermont County engaged The Righter Comparly to rehabilitate and restore the Stonelick-Williams Corner Covered Bridge because of its deteriorated condition. The bridge is an important part of Clermont County's history and my office is committed to restoring the bridge in a manner that will highlight the long and historic past of the bridge.

On Tuesday, February 11, while The-Righter Company was working on the rehabilitation project, the bridge collapsed. On Wednesday, February 12, county and state officials met with the contractor to discuss their plan for continuing work on the bridge. The plan is as follows:

First the bridge truss and construction debris will be removed from Stonelick Creek, consistent with all environmental and safety regulations.

Second, the entire wooden truss bridge will be disassembled and a thorough inspection and evaluation of all structural components will take place. A determination will be made regarding which structural elements must be replaced. As soon as all replacement structural components are available, the Howe Truss will be rebuilt and the road will be reopened to traffic.

The contractor has already removed the roof structure from Stonelick Creek and has begun the necessary steps to remove the upstream truss from the creek. In order to be completed safely, the truss will be removed in sections, salvaging as many structural elements as allowable with the intent to reuse them in the reconstruction of the bridge. The downstream truss, which is currently resting on top of a temporary structure, will be dismantled, inspected, and reassembled according to the original project scope.

To accomplish the rehabilitation and restoration of this bridge, some structural elements were designated to be replaced, some repaired, and many reused in their original condition. Our goal remains to complete the project using as many original elements as possible while ensuring the safety of travelers across the bridge, and our priority continues to be a complete restoration in a manner that will highlight the long and historic past of the Stonelick Williams Corner Covered Bridge.

My office will continue to provide updates on this work, as needed.