Effort Underway To Save Historic Johnson Creek Covered Bridge

MOUNT OLIVET, Ky. (AP) - Officials in eastern Kentucky are trying to save a nearly 150-year-old covered bridge.

The Johnson Creek Covered Bridge carried thousands of people safely across the eastern Kentucky waterway during the century it was in operation. The bridge has proven to be even more valuable since it closed in 1966, becoming a major tourist stop and economic boon to the area.

But with funding for a much-needed renovation in jeopardy, Robertson County officials, historians and preservationists have decided to do some old-fashioned stumping to make sure the bridge doesn't become another forgotten relic.

Kentucky Heritage Council and Robertson County Tourism officials are both drafting letters to government agencies asking for money to complete a renovation that began in June.

The bridge has been stripped, re-supported, chipped and repaired by during Phase I of the renovation, which was designed to save the bridge from collapse.

Officials argue it would more expensive to put off the project rather than bite the bullet and finance it now.

AP-NY-12-25-07 1115EST

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