The height restriction bars at the historic covered bridge in Lower Towamensing Township have saved the bridge but were damaged over the weekend by a motorist attempting to drive through with a truck that was too tall.

Carbon County Commissioner Rocky Ahner said the bar was struck and partially down as a result of someone attempting to drive through the bridge with a U-Haul truck early Saturday.

The bridge was closed to traffic as a result over the weekend.

Carbon County, which owns the bridge, is sending workers there today to put the bar back up.

Ahner said he spoke with Lower Towamensing Supervisors’ Chairman Brent Green on the possibility of adding more signs leading up to the bridge.

The covered bridge, located along Little Gap Road, has been the site of many vehicle strikes over the years.

Last March, a Penske box truck struck the same barriers, causing over $8,000 in damage to the steel I-beam that the barriers hang from.

Prior to that, there have been several instances where oversized vehicles attempted to cross the bridge and damaged the structure as it squeezed through the entrance.

The covered bridge is a 162-year-old bridge and the last remaining covered bridge in Carbon County used by vehicle traffic.