The historic 120-year old covered bridge in Long Grove reached another milestone of sorts earlier this month when a U-Haul truck slammed into its wooden canopy.
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The accident marked the 30th time a vehicle exceeding the bridge’s height restriction of 8 feet, 6 inches, has hit the structure since August 2020.
It took more than three hours for three tow trucks to extricate the wedged vehicle, which had been driven by an Arlington Heights man. He was issued a traffic citation for disregard of height clearance signage.
The one-lane bridge that spans Beaver Creek sustained cosmetic damage, but there were no structural concerns, according to authorities.
“It was clearly marked on the truck that its height was 11 feet, and still they managed to take a chance,” Village Administrator Gregory Jackson said. “There are signs leading up to and on the bridge, from both directions. Why they do this is beyond my comprehension.”
At the time of its 1902 construction, the bridge was meant to accommodate horse and buggies, along with early passenger cars. It was also listed as Illinois’ only existing example of a pin-connected steel truss bridge.
The bridge has become an iconic symbol that goes with the “yesteryear” feel of the village, which features antique shops, restaurants and specialty stores. It has also become a target of sorts for truck drivers who do not heed posting warnings about the height of the bridge’s clearance.
In 2020, the bridge was virtually demolished by a large truck which prompted the Village Board to consider razing the canopy. The eventual decision was to retain the original design, adding steel girders to reinforce the structural integrity, especially under the wooden canopy. Within one week of the bridge’s grand reopening in August of that year, it was hit twice.
“I was born and raised in Chicago, and saw trucks getting stuck under the viaducts all the time,” Jackson said. “What are they thinking?
– Original Credit: News-Sun
The bridge is on Robert Parker Coffin Road, just west of its intersection with Old McHenry Road and the downtown shopping district. The access points at Routes 83 and 53 have distinct signage and flags showing height, weight and speed restrictions. Scratch marks gouged into the bridge’s steel overhead beams are a testament to the number of trucks that haven’t quite made it through the opening.
Jackson noted, “The village is looking at options going forward, such as an overhead signage device where, if touched, sets off a visual signal. We’re still in discussions. But really … how many signs do you have to put up before it detracts from the scenery, and gets the point across? As I said, this is beyond my comprehension.”