The Spencerville covered bridge will reopen to traffic this weekend after nearly two years of restoration and repair.
The Spencerville covered bridge is one of 98 left in the state. The bridge is on a county road and connects the east and west sides of DeKalb County’s Spencerville township.
In October of 2018, the bridge was closed to traffic after it failed an inspection due to water damage in some of the support timbers and unsafe flooring.
Mary Deihl started the ‘Friends of the Spencerville Covered Bridge’ group to help raise funds to replace the flooring on the bridge. She says the bridge has always been a special part of the community.
“As time has moved on and people have moved away from small towns, it’s kind of the last tangible thing that connects us all,” Deihl said.
This is the longest the bridge has ever been closed since being built in 1873. When it reopens the speed limit will be decreased to 15 miles per hour.
The bridge will reopen on Saturday with a ceremony at 11 a.m. which will have speakers from DeKalb county, the reading of a poem inspired by the bridge and will conclude with a car parade over the bridge.
