Monroe County receives grant to restore Cedar Ford Covered Bridge

The National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation Program recently awarded Monroe County a $712,000 grant for the restoration of the Cedar Ford Covered Bridge. The Federal Highway Administration administers the grant program. \nMonroe County received another grant in 2001 for $100,000, which will also help refurbish the bridge. Bill Williams, Monroe County’s public works director, said the project would not have been possible without the second grant.\n“We probably wouldn’t have been able to do the restoration without some federal assistance,” Williams said. “The grant allows that project to become a reality.” \nThe Federal Highway Administration usually gives out $10 million every year nationally for the restoration of covered bridges. Williams said they were pleased with the amount of money they received. Monroe County is one of the two counties in the state to receive the funds, Williams said. Williams said the county applied for this specific grant in July. \n“We’re just really appreciative for getting the money,” Williams said. “I won’t say we are rolling in the dough, but it will definitely make this project workable.” \nCongressman Baron Hill, D-Ind., announced the awarding of the grant.\n“I am very pleased the Highway Administration has allocated this sizeable grant to making improvements to the Cedar Ford Covered Bridge,” Hill said in a news release. “The covered bridges across Southern Indiana are such an important part of our community’s history. \nThe Cedar Ford Covered Bridge was built in 1885 just northeast of Shelbyville, Ind. It was dismantled in 1975 and stored on fairgrounds. Williams said the county would like to refurbish rotting timbers and replace others. \n“One of the goals we are stretching for is to get the bridge strong enough for school bus loading,” Williams said. “It would open up a roadway that has been closed for 30 years. It’s a nice rural setting.” \nWilliams said they are trying to restore the Seacrest Ferry Bridge over the White River in Gosport, and after both of these projects are done, canoeists will be able to travel under both bridges and get a feel for the history of Monroe County.\n“It’s a neat thing,” Williams said. “We’re bringing a little bit of our history back with this project.”\nJim Barker, lead engineer for the restoration of the Cedar Ford Covered Bridge, said he thinks the covered bridge will be a special attraction after it’s finished. \n“We have lots of pictures of what the original bridge looks like so we can get it very close to the original appearance,” Barker said. “There’s a lot of history wrapped up in that bridge and it’s in such a glorious location.” \nWilliams said the county expects project construction to be completed in 2011. The county started the designs for the restoration in 2001. \n“It’s a little ways out but still in reach with this addition,” Williams said.