Frankenmuth Iconic Wooden Covered Bridge to Close for Repairs

March 12, 2015 - PRLog -- After 35 years of Michigan winters – and Michigan summers – and more than 4 million vehicle crossings, the Bavarian Inn’s Covered Bridge (the Holz-Brücke in German) spanning the Cass River in Frankenmuth is having some work done.

Replacing the shingles and roadway planking will begin Monday, March 16, 2015 and last for about four weeks, depending on Michigan’s unpredictable weather. The bridge will be closed to vehicles intermittently during that time (see below for closure schedule). Access to the Bavarian Inn Lodge, Bavarian Inn Restaurant, and Frankenmuth River Place Shops will be available from the Weiss Street entrance. Pedestrians will be able to cross the bridge using a walkway.

There will be a number of Bavarian-themed signs that will direct guests to the alternate entrance.

“Like any bridge or roadway in Michigan, time and weather have taken its toll on our wooden covered bridge,” said Bill Zehnder, president of Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn, Inc. “Maintaining the bridge is a necessity for the safe passage of our guests and Frankenmuth visitors.”

He added that the roof covers and protects the wooden bridge underneath, so the deterioration of the shingles exposes the structure to potential wear.  The covered bridge was installed in January, 1980 after nearly two years of construction on the riverbank. New Hampshire craftsmen used structural framing timbers from Oregon – in some cases 32 feet long – and locally sourced and sawn 3-foot long shingles for the roof and 16-foot long 4x8s for the planked roadway.

The necessary repairs will be made by a Michigan team headed up by Tim Gilmour of Gilmour Construction in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Gilmour has a long history with wooden craft projects. The planking will be locally sourced and sawn by Dennis Miller from Lapeer Hardwoods in Lapeer, Michigan.

If Mother Nature cooperates, the bridge will hopefully reopen for both (gasoline-and horse-powered) vehicular traffic around Friday, April 17, 2015.

Bridge closure schedule

Monday March 16, 2015 to Friday April 3, 2015:

Closed Monday through Friday 7:30 am - 10:30 am only

April 6 – 10, 2015: No bridge construction

April 13 – 17, 2015:

Closed Monday through Friday 7:30 am - 10:30 am only

One pedestrian walkway open at all times during repairs

Bavarian Inn Restaurant: (bavarianinn.com) Celebrating 125 years of service in 2013, the Bavarian Inn Restaurant has become a Michigan landmark, thanks to Dorothy and her late husband William “Tiny” Zehnder. Guests experience the old-world European charm of the Bavarian Inn – whether it’s the famous chicken dinners, fresh baked goods or Michigan’s greatest selection of German beer. Bavarian Inn also prides itself on being one of the top consumers of Pure Michigan agricultural products.  [Press Room: http://www.logos-communications.com/bavarianinn/]

Bavarian Inn Lodge: (bavarianinn.com) Nestled along the Cass River in one of Michigan’s top tourist attractions – Frankenmuth – is the state’s largest Indoor Water Park Hotel! The Lodge has 360 European-themed guest rooms, including whirlpool and family suites, four indoor pools, three whirlpools, two waterslides, a miniature golf course, two gift shops, two lounges and two restaurants — all under one roof. The expansive 35,000 square feet Family Fun Center houses over 100 video and redemption games, a two-story children’s play village and Willy’s Kingdom indoor mini-golf course. In 29 years of business, the Bavarian Inn Lodge has been an important destination for travelers, evidenced by the 1.25 million room-nights that have been booked there since its opening, along with its top rating on TripAdvisor®. [Press Room: http://logos-communications.com/bavarianinnlodge/]

Media contact:          Sue Voyles, Logos Communications

734-667-2005/sue@logos-communications.com