Jericho Bridge Rehabilitation Project Update, 1/14/2013. The Department of Public Works has informed us that the rehabilitation of Jericho Bridge will take place, at the earliest, this coming summer. They also commented that it may be even later than the summer and at this time a definite date cannot be determined.
Accident closes Roddy Road Bridge in Frederick County, 4/2/2012. The Frederick News-Post reported that Roddy Road Bridge was closed on 4/1/2012 after a car crashed into the bridge. Inspection is being made on the bridge to determine the extent of the damage. The accident occurred when a driver blew a tire and struck an upright beam on the side of the bridge. Siding was pushed out and a center support floor beam was dislodged. County officials do not consider the damage to be serious but are not sure how long the bridge will be closed.
Update on rehabilitation of Jericho Covered Bridge, 12/09/2011. On December 8, 2011 a Project Information Meeting for plans to rehabilitate Jericho Covered Bridge was held at the Kingsville Elementary School. Engineers for the Baltimore County Department of Public Works and Wallace, Montgomery & Associates, LLP presented detailed information to about 20 interested citizens.
The project is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2013 and continue for approximately 6-12 months. The rehabilitation will include replacement of all siding and flooring, a new cedar shake shingle roof, application of fire retardant and anti-graffiti protective coatings, and a surveillance security system.
Engineers reported the trusses of the bridge as well as the wingwalls and abutments are in relatively good shape and will be repaired as necessary. A drawing highlighting specific truss members that will require replacing was presented. Approximately 10 percent of the truss system will be replaced. Upper windows will be installed for lighting and ventilation. Engineers plan to restore the bridge as much as possible to its original appearance. It is likely Jericho Bridge will be painted barn red although a final decision on the color has not yet been made.
We will continue to post updates to this website for any information about the rehabilitation of Jericho Bridge and when work begins we will provide a weekly update with photos.
Jericho Bridge Receives Funding for Rehabilitation, 3/30/2011.An article in the Baltimore Sun reported Jericho Bridge, crossing the Little Gunpowder River connecting Baltimore and Harford counties, has received a $2 million grant to make necessary repairs to the bridge. Most of the money comes from the Federal Highway Administration's National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation Program. Repairs will include replacement of deteriorating timbers, fixing roof leaks and a fresh coat of fire retardant paint. Work is expected to start in 2012.
A public meeting was conducted by the Baltimore Region of the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) at 4 p.m. on March 30th. TIP speakers provided more detailed information of the rehabilitation of the bridge to interested citizens. The amount of money available is actaully $1.7 million and the funding comes from preservation program grants of 2009-10. Repairs include: replace arch timbers, posts, roofing, siding planks, timber deck and wingwalls. Also paint with anti-graffiti, fire retardant, and insect repellant coating system. Additional discussion involved possibly providing a surveilance system and more lighting at each end of the bridge.
Unfortunately, the rehabilitation will not begin until the summer of 2013, not 2012 as stated in the Baltimore Sun article. The bridge is expected to be closed for 6 to 9 months.
Read the detailed on-line article in the Baltimore Sun.
Update, 6/24/2010.Be sure to visit Giplin's Falls Covered Bridge for more rehabilitation photos, ribbon cutting celebration photos and revised information about the history of Gilpin's Falls Bridge.
Update, 4/10/2010.The rehabilitation of Gilpin's Falls Covered Bridge in Bay View, Maryland, Cecil County, is now complete. The reconstruction of this bridge is absolutely beautiful. Everyone associated with the preservation effort and rehabilitation should be highly commended for all of their hard work to bring this historic bridge "back to life."
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Gilpin's Falls Bridge, 04-09-2010. |
Gilpin's Falls Bridge, 03-27-2010. |
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Gilpin's Falls Bridge, 01-31-2010. |
Side boarding and roof, 01-15-2010. |
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Flooring installed, 01-01-2010. |
Rehabilitation continues, 09-19-2009. |
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High flood waters, 09-11-2009. |
Roof & all boards removed, 06-22-2009. |
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Side boarding removed, 03-12-2009. |
Start of side boarding removal, 02-08-2009. |
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Gilpin's Before Rehabilitation, 01-19-2009. |
Giplin's Falls close to collapse, 06-21-2008. |
Jericho Bridge, 02/09/2010.(Repairs to Jericho Bridge were completed early February, 2010.) Jericho Covered bridge near Kingsville is currently undergoing rehabilitation. One of its trusses has deterioration caused by either termites or wood beetles. Temporary supports were placed under the bridge while workers removed the rotted truss. A temporary steel truss has been installed where the rotted section of truss was removed.
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Jericho Bridge. 11-09-2009. |
Jericho Bridge, 10/22/2009. An arson attempt occurred on Jericho Bridge sometime in August. Fire retardant prevented any major damage to the bridge. At least three arson attempts have been made in recent years including one nearly two years ago when gasoline was poured all over the flooring and another can of gasoline was found nearby.
Events Calendar
Please note that some of the websites for covered bridge festivals are not updated until the spring or summer of the year of the festival, so you may be viewing the prior year's information.
September 21-22, 2013: Washington & Greene County, Pennsylvania 43rd Annual Covered Bridge Festival.
October 11-20, 2013: Parke County Indiana 57th Annual Covered Bridge Festival.
October 12-13, 2013: Ashtabula County Ohio 30th Anniversary Covered Bridge Festival.
October 12-13, 2013: Madison County Iowa 44th Covered Bridge Festival.
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Maryland Covered Bridges
Email me: mdcoveredbridges@comcast.net