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Goddard Bridge renovation to begin March 10

By BETTY COUTANT News Editor

Friday, March 4, 2005 8:43 PM EST

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Being one of only 13 covered bridges left in the commonwealth, Goddard Covered Bridge is known as well for something else -- fighting city hall and winning.

Actually, it was the people of Fleming County who stepped up to the plate in defense of the county's tourism centerpiece when it made the state's schedule for improvement, spawned by the controversy generated in Bracken County when the Walcott Covered Bridge returned looking every bit like a spanking new structure. More than 90 percent of the bridge had been replaced, angering many in the county that boasts only one covered bridge.

Fleming County has more than its share at three, enough to support an annual festival. The loss of the history in every plank of Goddard Bridge would be unacceptable, citizens complained. Plans to take the bridge out of the county for work was the biggest sticking point.

After all was said and done, the Transportation Cabinet agreed to require the work be done on site.

Restoration will begin March 10.

"Intech Contracting will be constructing falsework (cribbing) to facilitate inspection of the structure," a Transportation Cabinet press release said. "Consultants David Fischetti and Arnold Graton will be on site the week of March 21 to provide inspection."

Goddard Covered Bridge is believed to be vintage 1820s and is one of around 20 covered bridges once standing in Fleming County.

The Ringos Mill and Grange City bridges make up the county's trio and are also part of the annual Fleming County Covered Bridge Festival held in the fall.

The last time the bridge was restored was in 1968 when the last of a bridge-building family did the work.

Stockton Bower, whose father and grandfather built bridges was the last craftsman to work on the bridge.

It is not known exactly when the bridge was built or by whom, but it was moved from its original site on Kentucky 32 when that road was made into what was called the "concrete highway" to its current site just off Kentucky 32 in Goddard.

The bridge is special in that it's the only one in the state that is still open to traffic and is also the only example of the Ithiel Town Lattice design still standing.

Contact Betty Coutant at betty.coutant@lee.net or 564-9091, ext. 274.

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