Two Incidents In Two Days At Miller’s Run Covered Bridge

Paul Hayes phayes@littletonrecord.com Staff Writer Feb 8, 2024 Updated Feb 8, 2024

 

 

LYNDON — The Miller’s Run Covered Bridge remains vulnerable to large vehicles.

Over two consecutive days this week, vehicles that were too tall or heavy passed over the iconic bridge.

Lyndonville Police reported that on Wednesday, a loaded tractor-trailer flatbed carrying steel crossed the bridge twice (once in each direction) in violation of posted weight limits.

With the assistance of the Vermont State Police and the public, the truck was located on Route 91 South in Barnet, LPD said.

The operator of the truck, 40-year-old Vyacheslav Rafaskiy of Russell, Mass., told authorities he was following GPS directions.

Rafaskiy was fined $5,000 for violating the town ordinance against oversized/overweight vehicles crossing the bridge.

While that incident did not damage the bridge, another did the next day.

On Thursday, a yellow box truck that exceeded the height limit crossed the bridge, breaking boards at the bridge portal.

According to LPD, “The yellow box truck was located as it attempted to return to Lyndon from West Burke. The driver of the Sereign Mouhamed Diop, 23 of Woonsocket, R.I., advised he heard a noise but did not think he hit the bridge.”

Authorities learned Diop had defied a state Department of Transportation order given earlier that day to cease driving the vehicle for unspecified reasons.

“As a result of the accident and damage to the bridge, Diop was cited for Leaving the Scene of an Accident with a court date of 15 April 2024. Diop was also issued $10,300.00 worth of fines. His truck was towed from the scene,” LPD said.

The Miller’s Run Covered Bridge has been struck repeatedly over the years, including at least twice in 2024.

Bridge collisions are so common that the Select Board in 2021 approved plans to build overhead clearance barriers.

The barriers would prevent tall vehicles that exceed the 11-foot-9 height limit from striking and damaging the bridge. Repairs typically run $1,100 per incident.

However, construction of the barriers has been postponed indefinitely due to installation issues.

The town has been unable to find a contractor willing to place the barriers, due to challenges posed by the surrounding terrain.

“We’re having trouble finding someone that’s willing to install it,” said Town Administrator Justin Smith.

If built, the barriers would continue town efforts to protect the Miller’s Run Covered Bridge, also known as the Bradley Covered Bridge, which dates back to 1878.

The Select Board in 2021 also increased fines for height and weight violations at Miller’s Run Covered Bridge to $5,000 (first offense), $10,000 (second offense), and $15,000 (third offense).

The previous fine amounts had been $2,000/$3,500/$5,000.

Plans to add surveillance cameras to capture offenders’ license plates have also been considered.