LYNDON — Lyndon Institute students recently repaired damage to one of the barriers protecting the Miller’s Run Covered Bridge.
A box truck struck the north barrier on Aug. 25, causing heavy damage to the town-owned steel structure.
Lyndon Institute students assembled the barriers earlier this year and recently helped repair the damage.
Students in the Welding Metal Fabrication 1 class assisted in fixing the original bent bridge sign, while the Welding Metal Fabrication 2 class prepared new parts, including cutting a new cross beam to size.
“[LI senior] Steven Werner led the sign restoration, straightening the decorative sheet metal and replacing the tubing. Both classes returned to the site to help install it, with on-site cutting and welding made possible by equipment from Ryans Welding. Students Karter Morey-Dwyer and Abbie Walker, along with instructor Ryan Brill, completed the final welds,” LI said.
“Their efforts highlight the meaningful role students can play in caring for local landmarks while building practical, hands-on skills.”
The full list of students who took part in the barrier repair were Welding Metal Fabrication 1 students Carter Bean, Carter Bogie, Olivia Chase, Dylan Costa, Hunter Eastman, Matthias Fales, Sydney Gilman, Jackson Giroux, Mollie Gray, Dawson Jenkins, Abigail Kelly, Molly Larrabee, Haley Martin, Nick McReynolds, Avery Miller, Raymon Powers, Logan Spicer, Dakota VanDyk, Marco Welters, and Conner White, and Welding Metal Fabrication 2 students Landen Beaudoin, Chase Langelier, Ian Langtange, Karter Morey-Dwyer, Luther Pellerin, Chase Sanville, Abigail Walker, Steven Werner, and Logan Wheeler.
It was the third known crash involving the barriers since they were installed in March. On June 19, a tractor-trailer attempted to enter the bridge but was stopped when its exhaust stacks struck the southern overhead barrier. The truck backed away with minimal damage, and the bridge was not harmed.
Video taken the day before appears to show a steel crossbar bent inward, apparently from a separate incident.
The barriers were installed to protect the 146-year-old covered bridge, which has been repeatedly struck by oversized vehicles despite multiple signs in both directions noting an 11-foot-9-inch height restriction. Past incidents have typically cost the town about $1,100 in repairs and forced temporary closures.
The barrier project, designed by Lyndon Institute welding students and manufactured locally, cost $60,000 and was funded with a mix of town and federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars. Town officials said it was a cost-effective alternative to replacing the bridge, which could cost millions.
Editors note: Information reprinted with permission from the Caledonian Record Publishing Company, Inc.