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Celebrated covered bridge deemed unsafe, will be fixed

Charleton Mill structure featured in many Greene County maps.

Charleton Mill Road Covered Bridge, which is displayed on many Greene County roadmaps, will be closed so it can be rehabilitated. County engineer Robert Geyer estimates the bridge will be renovated and reopened by fall 2012.

Mark Gokavi/Staff photo Charleton Mill Road Covered Bridge, which is displayed on many Greene County roadmaps, will be closed so it can be rehabilitated. County engineer Robert Geyer estimates the bridge will be renovated and reopened by fall 2012.

ENLARGE PHOTO

One of only five covered bridges in the county – and the only one on a through road – the Charleton Mill Road Covered Bridge is covered in graffiti and structurally not sound for many vehicles.

Mark Gokavi/Staff photo One of only five covered bridges in the county – and the only one on a through road – the Charleton Mill Road Covered Bridge is covered in graffiti and structurally not sound for many vehicles.

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Mark Gokavi, Staff Writer Updated 8:01 AM Monday, November 28, 2011

The only Greene County covered bridge on a through road — a painting of which adorns many county roadmaps — will be closed starting today because it has been deemed unsafe.

Charleton Mill Road Covered Bridge in Xenia Twp., north of Wilberforce, is a 120-foot Howe truss design bridge that crosses Massie Creek. County documents indicate the bridge was built by Henry Hebble in 1860 (though 1870 is displayed on it and other websites estimate 1882). It is only approved for 3-ton loads.

But Greene County Engineer Robert Geyer said the bridge — covered inside with graffiti and showing obvious signs of distress — is rotting and a load analysis said its true capacity is more like 2.25 tons.

“It’s 150 years old and it’s tired,” Geyer said. “Cars are about all that are supposed to use it, but other people do use it, so we’re just afraid that it’s in bad shape and we’re working with a consultant right now to do rehab on it. We’d rather just have it standing than laying in the creek when we rehab it.”

The Greene County commissioners passed a resolution Nov. 22 to close the bridge. Geyer said road signs will indicate the closure.

An interoffice memo from the county’s chief plat and bridge inspector Kevin Mallow said, in part, that “the bridge has deteriorated to the point it can no longer convey traffic safely.

“We are currently in the design phase for this bridge to bring it up to specs for all traffic, including school buses and emergency vehicles.”

The structure is one of five remaining covered bridges in Greene County. Geyer said the covered bridge on Engle Mill Road (south of East Spring Valley-Paintersville Road) also will be repaired in 2012.

He hopes both rehab jobs will be done by fall 2012.

Geyer said also the Charleton Mill Road bridge is on a township road that does not get much traffic, but that some people are driving on it with pickup trucks hauling trailers and equipment.

“There’s no sense in waiting for somebody to go through it,” he said. “We’re closing it as a precaution.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-6951 or mgokavi@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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