New Federal Regulations Add Cost To Covered Bridges

 

Lancaster, Pa. Feb. 28, 2011 - Lancaster County's covered bridges were designed in the 19th century for 19th century vehicles. Modern tractor-trailers, which stand 13 feet six inches tall, cannot fit through covered bridges with a maximum clearance of 11 feet.

But new federal regulations, which took effect at the beginning of the year, require testing bridges for all types of vehicles - even those that will never use the bridge.

Those regulations will add about $10,000 to the cost of any Lancaster County covered bridge that is rebuilt or reconditioned.

Federal Highway Administration regulations required analysis only for the types of vehicles that would use a bridge. New regulations require testing for all vehicles.

For the story go to: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/357340.