The Federal Highway Administration has announced the award of over $9.4 million in grants to rehabilitate and preserve 14 historic covered bridges in 10 states under the fiscal year 2009 National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation (NHCBP) program. The project grant selections included the Blair Covered Bridge in Grafton County, N.H, one of the earliest examples of the “pre-stressing” construction technique, which allows a bridge to carry a greater load or span a greater distance. Another project grant recipient is the Layng Covered Bridge, one of the oldest covered bridges in Lane County, Oregon. The awards program also includes funding for research on improving load testing and treatment for preserving and restoring historic bridges. To receive funding bridges must be eligible for listing under the National Register of Historic Places.
