MADISON COUNTY, Ga. — The Madison County Sheriff's Office says the historic Watson Mill Covered Bridge will be closed until further notice thanks to a DUI-related wreck.
The wreck happened inside the bridge and caused structural damage to the bridge the sheriff's office said.
The bridge won't be able to be reopened until it can be inspected, repaired and deemed safe for travel once again.
The bridge is located within Watson Mill Bridge State Park on the South Fork of the Broad River.
The bridge itself was originally built in 1885 by Washington (W.W.) King, son of freed slave and famous covered bridge builder Horace King. It is supported by a town lattice truss system held firmly together with treenails.
DUI wreck damages historic covered bridge
The bridge is the longest covered bridge in the state and spans 229 feet across the South Fork of the Broad River.
At one point, the state of Georgia had more than 200 covered bridges, less than 20 remain in existence today.
The bridge carries Watson Mill Bridge Road. The sheriff's office says Georgia Highway 72 through Comer can be used as a detour until the bridge is reopened.
No injuries were reported in the wreck.
