Conway officials want cars to use covered bridge

CONWAY, Mass. (AP) - Efforts are underway to allow cars to cross a 141-year-old covered bridge in Conway.

The Recorder reports that the Board of Selectmen is backing the Conway Historical Commission's efforts to allow vehicles on the Burkeville Covered Bridge.

The 107-foot long bridge was built in 1871. It closed in 1985 due to structural deficiencies but underwent a $1 million renovation that allowed it to reopen to pedestrians in 2006.

The historical commission says the bridge is strong enough to support vehicles and reopening it would draw tourists and help residents.

The state Highway Department kept it closed because it has no guard rails and over fears that road salt would damage the wood.

The bridge is the oldest surviving covered bridge in the country, according to travel website Waymarking.com.