It is the longest covered bridge in the United States, surpassing the Cornish-Windsor Bridge by 64 feet.
The bridge's elevation of 93 feet above the river floor makes it the highest covered bridge in the country.
It was designed by John Smolen, the former Ashtabula County Engineer for whom it is named.
The bridge is rated to carry full legal highway loads, including heavy semi-trucks.
It is part of a series of 19 covered bridges found throughout Ashtabula County.
Construction costs were approximately 2.8 million dollars, funded by local and federal grants.
The interior is lit by windows placed to minimize wood rot by allowing airflow.
Its design incorporates a modern concrete deck protected by the wooden enclosure.
The Smolen-Gulf Covered Bridge is the longest covered bridge in the United States, spanning 613 feet over the Ashtabula River. Opened in 2008, the structure utilizes a hybrid Pratt truss design featuring laminated timber beams and concrete abutments. It carries two lanes of vehicular traffic on Plymouth Ridge Road, connecting Plymouth and Ashtabula townships. The bridge stands 93 feet above the Ashtabula River, making it one of the highest covered bridges in the country. It serves as a modern engineering tribute to the historic covered bridge tradition of Northeast Ohio. The structure was constructed using over 500,000 board feet of lumber.
From the base of the ravine in the park area below the bridge for a full vertical perspective.
Park in the designated gravel lot on the west side of the bridge for safer viewing.
Visit during the autumn season when the surrounding foliage provides a stark contrast to the bridge’s timber.
Watch for active vehicular traffic while walking near the bridge entrances.
Attempting to walk across the entire length during heavy traffic hours due to narrow pedestrian margins.
Stay on the pedestrian shoulder if walking inside; do not climb on the exterior trusses.
