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Covered bridge group looks past statute to set standard

By DANETTA BARKER - Staff Writer

Tuesday, August 5, 2003 10:59 PM EDT

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The Goddard Covered Bridge dominated the first meeting of the Buffalo Trace Covered Wooden Bridge Authority Wednesday.

Interim chair Steve Donovan, representing Fleming County, told the reestablished authority that Goddard would set the standard for any renovation on other bridges.

"Goddard Bridge epitomizes all bridges and how we restore those bridges," Donovan said. "How this bridge is restored will set the standard for other bridges in the Buffalo Trace area."

Although the statute reestablishing the authority states that "the authority shall be dedicated to the preservation, restoration and maintenance of all covered wooden bridges not open to vehicular traffic" eliminating Goddard Bridge, Donovan said it is the most sensitive issue of any of the seven bridges in the Buffalo Trace area and said the authority should work to make certain the bridge is restored properly.

"How do we restore the bridge and keep the integrity?" Donovan asked. "It is a question we will have to answer."

Other members from the five-county region - Sally Mineer, Lewis County; Kay Cooper, Bracken; Ann Mason, Mason; and William Wheaton, Robertson - agreed that no one wants to see another situation as happened with the Walcott Bridge.

"People didn't like the new bridge," Cooper said. "They wondered what happened to their old bridge."

Bracken County was supposed to receive the timbers of the old bridge after the restoration was complete, Cooper said. But the timber has not been delivered to the county.

Walcott was rebuilt by Intech Inc. and moved up creek from its original site.

It was agreed to hire experts to come to Kentucky and examine the remaining bridges in the five county region the authority serves. Donovan recommended several people who could actually do the repairs to the bridges.

Intech Inc. has the contract for Goddard Bridge and will begin dismantling it after the Covered Bridge Festival on Aug. 23. Donovan hopes the findings of the experts will convince the Transportation Cabinet to reexamine the contract and make changes to better preserve the "integrity" of the bridge.

The concern of the public is that Goddard will be a new bridge once the renovation is complete. The first reports from the Transportation Cabinet suggested 30 percent of the bridge needs to be replaced. However, Donovan said that figure had increased to 90 percent. Residents and county officials are afraid of losing the history and integrity of the old bridge.

Rep. Mike Denham, who worked to reestablish the authority that was disbanded in 1996, said one mission of the group should be promotion of the bridges. With that in mind, the authority agreed to have a booth at the Covered Bridge Festival. Donovan suggested members bring maps and photos relating to the covered bridges for the booth.

Donovan has been working with the Kentucky Heritage Council and Fleming County School Superintendent Kelley Lee to create a curriculum for schools that promotes awareness of the bridges.

"This curriculum is KERA approved," Donovan said, "and incorporates writing, workshop, photography and video to help students in the five counties learn more about their bridges."

More than $70,000 was left from a bank account of the former authority, said Amy Kennedy assistant economic development director for Buffalo Trace Area Development District. BTADD will administer the funds with two members of the authority approved to sign checks.

The next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 16 at Kenton Commonwealth Center in Maysville.

Contact Danetta Barker at Danetta.Barker@lee.net.

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