Historic Bridges Are Under Threat from Modern GPS
2024-03-24
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1Historic covered bridges in the United States are under threat by the use of the modern technology GPS.
2GPS is short for Global Positioning System.
3The satellite system tells people who use map applications what roads to use to go from one place to another.
4The historic bridges usually have signs, including flashing lights, to warn trucks that are too tall or too heavy not to cross.
5But some truck drivers do not follow the warnings and crash into the bridge.
6They say the GPS directed them onto the bridge.
7Many times, the drivers are using systems made for cars instead of large trucks.
8In the northeastern state of Vermont, Lyndon town officials say the 146-year-old Miller's Bridge has been hit more than 20 times.
9Justin Smith is an administrator for Lyndon.
10"GPS is the most general excuse that is given by drivers that do hit the bridge," he said.
11Drivers can face a fine of $5,000 from the town, plus payments to the state.
12But he added that the real problem is drivers simply not thinking about their actions.
13Jack Harris is the head of Lyndon's police.
14He said that the bridge had to be closed twice for major repairs.
15Each time, it took several months to finish the job.
16In 2019, a truck hit the bridge supports.
17Engineering and repair costs were nearly $100,000, said Smith.
18About half the time, the town gets its money back through the drivers' insurance - if it catches them.
19Many drivers simply drive away without telling officials about the accident.
20A nearby security camera aimed at the bridge has helped officials find some drivers.
21"They will claim that they didn't know they hit it and yet you'll see the truck stop in the middle of the bridge and they'll look up to see that they're hitting the bridge," Police Chief Harris said.
22Bill Caswell is president of the National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges.
23He said trucks have damaged many covered bridges in Vermont and other states like Illinois and Ohio.
24Caswell said trucks hit a covered bridge in Cobb County, Georgia, so many times that officials put metal barriers at each end of it.
25The bridge also has warning signs and flashing lights.
26"Even with all the warnings, the barriers are still struck," Caswell wrote to The Associated Press.
27"But the bridge is now protected."
28Back in Lyndon, the town is looking at plans to put a steel beam in front of the bridge.
29The beam would force trucks that are too tall to come to a stop.
30A Google spokesperson said their Google Maps' app is made for drivers of cars and small trucks.
31The spokesperson added that drivers of larger vehicles should use different systems.
32Apple also has a "Maps" app.
33The company did not answer an Associated Press email asking for comment.
34In Lyndon, there are different ideas in town about what to do, said Smith, the administrator.
35"Some people obviously want to see something that protects the bridge so we can keep it in place," he said.
36"Others are like: 'It's time to take it off and set it on the side and put a more standard bridge in."
37I'm Andrew Smith.
1Historic covered bridges in the United States are under threat by the use of the modern technology GPS. 2GPS is short for Global Positioning System. The satellite system tells people who use map applications what roads to use to go from one place to another. 3The historic bridges usually have signs, including flashing lights, to warn trucks that are too tall or too heavy not to cross. But some truck drivers do not follow the warnings and crash into the bridge. They say the GPS directed them onto the bridge. Many times, the drivers are using systems made for cars instead of large trucks. 4In the northeastern state of Vermont, Lyndon town officials say the 146-year-old Miller's Bridge has been hit more than 20 times. 5Justin Smith is an administrator for Lyndon. "GPS is the most general excuse that is given by drivers that do hit the bridge," he said. Drivers can face a fine of $5,000 from the town, plus payments to the state. But he added that the real problem is drivers simply not thinking about their actions. 6Jack Harris is the head of Lyndon's police. He said that the bridge had to be closed twice for major repairs. Each time, it took several months to finish the job. 7In 2019, a truck hit the bridge supports. Engineering and repair costs were nearly $100,000, said Smith. 8About half the time, the town gets its money back through the drivers' insurance - if it catches them. Many drivers simply drive away without telling officials about the accident. A nearby security camera aimed at the bridge has helped officials find some drivers. 9"They will claim that they didn't know they hit it and yet you'll see the truck stop in the middle of the bridge and they'll look up to see that they're hitting the bridge," Police Chief Harris said. 10Bill Caswell is president of the National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges. He said trucks have damaged many covered bridges in Vermont and other states like Illinois and Ohio. 11Caswell said trucks hit a covered bridge in Cobb County, Georgia, so many times that officials put metal barriers at each end of it. The bridge also has warning signs and flashing lights. 12"Even with all the warnings, the barriers are still struck," Caswell wrote to The Associated Press. "But the bridge is now protected." 13Back in Lyndon, the town is looking at plans to put a steel beam in front of the bridge. The beam would force trucks that are too tall to come to a stop. 14A Google spokesperson said their Google Maps' app is made for drivers of cars and small trucks. The spokesperson added that drivers of larger vehicles should use different systems. 15Apple also has a "Maps" app. The company did not answer an Associated Press email asking for comment. 16In Lyndon, there are different ideas in town about what to do, said Smith, the administrator. 17"Some people obviously want to see something that protects the bridge so we can keep it in place," he said. "Others are like: 'It's time to take it off and set it on the side and put a more standard bridge in." 18I'm Andrew Smith. 19Lisa Rathke wrote this story for The Associated Press. Andrew Smith adapted it for VOA Learning English. 20________________________________________________ 21Words in This Story 22application -n. a computer program that is designed for use on a mobile digital device 23flashing -adj. the turning of a light source on and off at regular short intervals 24insurance -n. a fund of money guaranteed to pay for expenses in case of accidents 25beam -n. a straight piece of strong, rigid material to support a building or structure. 26obviously -adj. clearly or easily known, understood, or seen 27standard -adj. usual, normal, what is generally expected