Newton Falls - The Newton Falls City Council discussed ways to protect the Old Covered Bridge after a car damaged the bridge early Monday morning.

One city council member suggested the village take control of the bridge and close it off to traffic to keep it as a pedestrian bridge.

Mayor Dave Hanson says the bridge is a major attraction to the municipality.

"The whole point of the bridge is so people can drive through it, it is a bridge, it's not a museum piece," he said.

The Old Covered Bridge was built in 1831 and stands as the oldest covered bridge still used in Ohio.

The bridge was previously damaged in early 2022 after a vehicle damaged several truss cords after in lost control. The repairs costed over $750,000.

The bridge is owned by Trumbull County and is maintained by the Trumbull County Engineer.

Trumbull County Deputy Engineer Gary Shaffer says Trumbull County cannot own and maintain a bridge that is closed and does not allow traffic through a municipal road. He adds that the Engineers have plans to add upgrades to the bridge.

"I do have a large project coming up next year to put railing up there to protect it from accidents like this, do some fire retardant spray, some painting, some drainage improvements," he said.

Shaffer says damage to the bridge was superficial and that repairs would be finished by Spring.  

He estimates that the barriers will be removed tomorrow Friday Jan. 23 for traffic to pass through after engineers clear debris from the area.