A local lawmaker has asked for stop signs to be placed on both sides of the Covered Bridge in Lower Towamensing Township.

Township supervisors recently discussed the requisition by state Rep. Doyle Heffley, who submitted a letter requesting stop signs on both sides of the Little Gap Covered Bridge before the start of a nearby bridge project over Hunter Creek.

“This request is being made to help protect the integrity of the covered bridge, reduce vehicle speeds, and ensure that all drivers properly respect the single-lane passage during the construction period,” Heffley said. “I believe that installing these stop signs will enhance transportation efficiency and improve public safety throughout the project.”

Township solicitor Jim Nanovic said the request would entail engineering and a traffic study.

“You can’t just put a stop sign anywhere,” Nanovic said. “You would have to look at doing a traffic study (and ordinance) for a stop sign.”

The board did not take any action on Heffley’s request.

After the meeting, Heffley said that he believes it would be a good idea to leave them up, as out of town comes through the area.

“I think it would reduce the number of strikes from vehicles hitting the bridge, (and) I think it would slow traffic down,” said Heffley, who added he believes the bridge is a treasure to Carbon County and all the communities. “I think this would be a simple measure to improve safety, stop oversize vehicles from going through there, while at the same time slowing down traffic and preserving the integrity of the structure.

“I’ve experienced it firsthand where people come through the bridge and don’t stop and cars are backing up. And it is a concern.”

The purpose of the project is to replace the structure which carries Route 2002 over Hunter Creek.

The bridge replacement is located about 150 feet southwest of the intersection with Hahn’s Dairy Road and Covered Bridge Road.

The proposed construction timeline is for the project to begin in spring 2028, and end by fall 2028.

About 95 feet of approach roadway will be reconstructed on both the east and west sides of the structure, with steps to improve stormwater runoff to the existing inlet.

The existing structure will be replaced with a single span prestressed spread box beam structure.

A detour will be required during construction to remove the existing structure and install the proposed structure.

The covered bridge has been struck by vehicles multiple times over the years, with thousands of dollars in damage occurring to the bridge before the county installed I-beams and headache bars to stop oversize vehicles from getting into the bridge.