Motorists driving vehicles larger than the height limit for the covered bridge in Lower Towamensing Township should smile for the cameras.

This week, Carbon County, which owns and maintains the bridge, announced that cameras have been installed to deter people driving larger than posted vehicles from attempting to cross the bridge.

The historic covered bridge, located in the area of Lower Smith Gap and Little Gap roads, has been damaged several times over the years by oversized trucks and vans attempting to cut down on travel time by going through the bridge. In some incidents, the damage totaled in the thousands and many times the perpetrator can’t be found.

Most recently, in December, the bridge height restriction headache bar was struck and damaged, causing just under $1,000 in damage to the bar and bolts.

Commissioner Rocky Ahner said on Tuesday that the cameras are solar powered and will be used to record vehicles crossing the bridge.

“We’re hoping this will either catch individuals that damage the historic bridge or deter them from crossing illegally,” he said, noting that the county also purchased additional special bolts that are needed for the headache bars at a cost of $740.50.

“Every time the bar gets hit, it’s an expense to the county.”

The commissioners began looking at the cameras late last year.