JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — It is one of the prettiest little covered bridges in the county and was the last to be built in Ashtabula County in the 20th century.
The Netcher Road covered bridge, 35-04-63, crosses Mill Creek a short distance from South Denmark Road in Jefferson Township. The bridge was dedicated Aug. 29, 1999.
Designed by John Smolen with architectural design by Jefferson architect Beverly Cowles, the bridge cost $819,050. It was funded with a Federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act grant.
Smolen chose the Haupt truss with arches for the bridge design. Richter Construction of Columbus won the bid to construct the bridge, the trusses of which were fabricated in Ripley, W.Va.
Southern pine was used for the arches, walls, floor and roof; yellow poplar for the siding. The bridge was stained red and trimmed in cream. The architectural highlights of the bridge include cupolas with copper roofs at each end.
The bridge is 110 feet long, 22 feet wide and 14 feet, 6 inches tall.
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April 12, 2009
Netcher Road: The last covered bridge built over Mill Creek
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