Carbon County officials are looking to better secure the covered bridge in Lower Towamensing Township.

The discussion started on Thursday as a result of a letter to the editor that was published in the Times News on Saturday that stated the commissioners never returned phone calls.Commissioner Thomas J. Gerhard said he took offense to the letter, written by Constance Banko of Kunkletown, because the commissioners had never received any messages that she had called.He has since called her to discuss her concerns.Gerhard said that the board worked diligently to make much- needed repairs to the historic bridge last year to make sure it is structurally sound.Unfortunately, drivers of trucks that are over the height limit still attempt to use the bridge and have damaged beams in the process."What it comes down to is stupidity," Gerhard said, noting that he has over three decades of commercial truck driving experience under his belt."If you don't know the size and height of the vehicle, you don't belong in that vehicle. That's the bottom line."He said in the past he suggested installing 6-inch by 6-inch steel I-beams before the bridge so that drivers who exceed the height limit cannot proceed without damaging their vehicles.The board decided to install wood beams instead.But since the bridge reopened late last year, and a vehicle again damaged the beams in January, the commissioners have decided to move forward with the steel beams.Commissioners Chairman Wayne Nothstein agreed with the beams, saying it was a decision that was being looked into for a while, but made easier once the last incident happened."It is so frustrating that you try to idiot-proof something but then they come along with a better idiot," he said, noting that they have done a number of things to try to prevent oversized vehicles from using the bridge without success."It costs us time and money every time it gets hit."Commissioner William O'Gurek shared Gerhard's sentiment about Banko's letter, and noted that he also contacted Banko."We (Banko and the commissioners) share the same concerns about maintaining the county's investment," O'Gurek said, adding that the commissioners have worked diligently to make sure the historic bridge is preserved for the future."I appreciate Banko's concern about our investment," he added. "But we can't account for how reckless drivers are that they think they can plow through a bridge and take down bars."The county is in the process of working with Carbon Engineering to design the beams and will install them at a later date.The covered bridge has been struck by vehicles numerous times over the past few years, causing thousands of dollars in damage.The bridge was closed from July through Nov. 10 so crews from Professional Construction Contractors Inc. of Bethlehem could replace the open-grid steel deck and sandblast and paint the bridge.The cost of the project, $304,000, was covered by Act 13 bridge improvement funds and Act 44 funds.