A frequent cover star of the VISTA Today Covered Bridge blog was devasted yesterday in a broad daylight hit and run. Police and Park Rangers are still searching for answers, but for now, the historic Knox Covered bridge in Valley Forge National Park will remain closed until PennDOT completes repairs. From The Times Herald:

PennDOT recently awarded a $3.2 million project to rehabilitate three covered bridges in Chester County, the Rapps Dam Covered Bridge in East Pikeland Township, the Speakman Covered Bridge in West Marlborough and East Fallowfield townships, and the Knox Covered Bridge. The scope of the repairs to the Knox Covered Bridge will expand to address the damage incurred today. The covered bridge will remain closed until the rehabilitation project is completed at a future date to be determined.

In an article published last month by VISTA Today, we reported Sen. Andy Dinniman as saying “Pennsylvania is home to the most covered bridges in the nation, and here in Chester County, we continue to work to preserve and maintain our historic covered bridges.”

We love Pennsylvania’s covered bridges, especially the 15 or so still used each day in Chester County. They’re an icon of the county’s commitment to preserving Pennsylvania heritage for ourselves and future generations.

To the Knox Bridge, we wish a speedy recovery. Here’s hoping the person responsible comes forward in a timely manner.