Rehabilitation of Clermont Historic Covered Bridge Questioned

The Stonelick Williams Corner Covered Bridge has been closed since July 2010

Immediate Release
January 12, 2012

Batavia, Ohio. This is something Clermont County must preserve, not remodel. That was the message a group of community members brought to the Board of Clermont County Commissioners (BCC) during a meeting on January 11, 2012. “Don’t turn our country lane into a major thoroughfare,” said Catherine Rush-Ossenbeck, who lives with her husband Tim on the roadway that leads to the historic Stonelick Williams Corner Covered Bridge. Built in 1878, it is the only covered bridge remaining in the county; it has been closed since July of 2010, after a truck that exceeded the weight limit for the bridge caused serious damage to the bridge’s floor beams. Many of those in attendance said they are opposed to a Clermont County Engineer’s Office plan to increase the load limit on the bridge from 3-tons to 12-tons, enabling school buses, emergency equipment, and delivery trucks to safely cross the structure.

“We have petitions from a lot of people encouraging the Engineer’s Office to preserve the bridge structure instead of remodeling it to look like something you could see at Disneyland,” said Rush-Ossenbeck. Her husband Tim is concerned about replacing bridge floor boards that could lower the deck by 18 inches. “This will make the bridge floor more susceptible to large debris that floats down the creek when the water is high,” he said. “I have seen large tree root balls that have slammed into the bridge that would damage the structure, if the bridge floor is lowered.”

Stonelick Township trustee John Hanley, several others citizens, and John Kies, representing the 1,800 member Miami Rifle and Pistol Club (located near the bridge), support historically preserving the bridge, not compromising the trusses and overall structure of the original bridge. The bridge design proposed by the Engineer’s Office would keep 75-80 percent of the historic bridge.

Clermont County Commission President Bob Proud told those gathered that he understands the significance of the bridge to the community. “I’ve enjoyed driving over it, rolling down the windows, and listening to the sounds of the wood as I pass over it,” he said. “We will talk with the Engineer’s Office about current design plans for the rehabilitation project and let them know your concerns.”

Pictured above: The closed Stonelick Williams Corner Covered Bridge in Clermont County

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For additional information about this or other county news, contact Clermont County Communications Director Kathy Lehr at (513) 732-7597 or by e-mail, klehr@ clermontcountyohio.gov.