Covered Bridge closed following damage to height-limiter

Langley Covered Bridge will be closed possibly up to two weeks after a motorhome struck and damaged one of its height-limiters.

St. Joseph County Road Commission Director of Operations Don Preston said the incident occurred late Monday morning at the north end of the iconic bridge. Preston said the driver of the 10-foot-tall motorhome apparently ignored numerous warning signs and continued onto the causeway.

The vehicle, which Preston described as an early 1980s Ford, struck the height-limiter and the sleeper section was peeled from the rest of the motorhome. The bridge itself was not damaged, as the height-limiter prevented the vehicle from moving any further forward.

Preston said the driver, an unlicensed Three Rivers resident, was driving the motorhome to a woman who had planned to use it for a temporary residence, according to Preston. He said the driver had an outstanding warrant and was arrested following the incident.

Road commission officials said a new height-limiter, which has a clearance of about eight-and-a-half feet, costs about $14,000.