Iconic covered bridge to close during foliage season

Just as the autumn leaves are reaching peak color, Connecticut’s iconic covered bridge in West Cornwall will be closed to traffic and pedestrians.

The state Department of Transportation has announced the bridge over the Housatonic River will be closed from Sept. 4 through Oct. 2.

The $1.4 million project will be done by Mohawk Industries. It’s scheduled to be completed by Nov. 10, well after peak foliage season.

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said peak foliage season is between Oct. 5 and Nov. 8, earlier in the Northwest Hills.

The closure is needed to replacement of the steel bracing members and the timber decking on the 172-foot bridge.

“Additional roadway drainage will be installed at both ends of the bridge.” the DOT said in a release.

“It is currently anticipated that the bulk of the work on the structure will be completed during the scheduled road closure. Temporary alternating one-way traffic operations may be utilized before and/or after the closure to complete the project.”

For many, a trip to the Northwest Hills to see the foliage is a yearly event.

A must-take autumn photo is the red bridge with the backdrop of colorful leaves along the river.

This year, that scene will include construction trucks and a bridge undergoing repairs.

The current covered bridge was built in 1864, after two earlier bridges were destroyed.

Other covered bridges in Connecticut are Bull’s Bridge in Kent and Comstock in Colchester.

Contributed photo Just as the autumn leaves are reaching their peak color, Connecticut’s iconic covered bridge in West Cornwall will be closed to traffic and pedestrians. The state Department of Transportation has announced the bridge over the Housatonic River will be closed from from Sept. 4 through Oct. 2.