Historic Spencerville bridge set to be repaired

SPENCERVILLE, Ind.(WANE) A company has been awarded the contract to fix the historic Spencerville bridge that was damaged in September when a semi rig drove through the covered wooden bridge.

The bidding for the project was opened on Monday and four companies applied for the work, including three that had previously worked in the county; Beer & Slabaugh Inc. of Nappanee, R.G. Zachrich Construction of Defiance, Ohio, and  Primco Inc. of Fort Wayne.

The Fort Recovery, Ohio based Jutte Excavating, which had not previously worked in DeKalb County, was chosen by the County Commissioners. The company was awarded the contract for its bid of $103,672.

The bridge was damaged on September 26. A police officer said at the time that  the semi driver’s GPS led him to the covered bridge instead of a new bridge, which would have accommodated a semi.

Ed Farrell and Kelly Jacobs used Report !t to send WANE photos of the damage the semi caused.

The semi broke beams and roof supports along the full length of the bridge. It also knocked down a sign on the east end of the bridge as it drove out.

The bridge was built in 1873 and spans the St. Joseph River just east of Spencerville.Shortly after the accident, the county had estimated repairs at $300,000.

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