NEWTON FALLS — Village officials are looking at different options for the historic covered bridge, including possibly having the village take ownership of it and closing it to vehicular traffic.

The discussion by village council on Wednesday came a few days after a vehicle crashed into one of the bridge’s sides.

First Ward Councilman Brian Kropp said he is concerned about the condition of the bridge, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, because it keeps getting damaged by vehicles.

Kropp said the covered bridge is among the oldest in the state and is a draw for the village, but it has been damaged several times in recent years.

He proposed the village have talks with Trumbull County officials since the bridge is owned and maintained by the county to see if the village could gain ownership and then have a public walkway inside instead of allowing vehicles to drive through it.

“I am very concerned because it is a beautiful bridge but it keeps getting damaged when vehicles crash into it. That is a historic bridge. We can’t just go get wood at Home Depot and keep fixing it,” Kropp said.

He said the bridge is unique and should be preserved. Kropp said the bridge could be incorporated into the village’s July 4 celebration and America250 anniversary this summer.

Second Ward Councilman Brian Axiotis said the main issue is the bridge is owned and maintained by the county. He suggested the village could install a guardrail or protective barriers near the bridge to help prevent accidents.

Axiotis said he is also concerned with the continual accidents that damage the bridge.

Councilwoman-at-Large Julie Stimpert said the first step would be for village officials to speak with the county commissioners about the bridge and options to protect the historic structure.

Fourth Ward Councilman Kevin Rufener said the bridge does provide a crossing over the Mahoning River in that section of the village. He said he is concerned if it is closed to vehicles, including safety vehicles, police and firefighters would have to find other ways to get to that section of the community, which would increase response times.

Mayor David Hanson said the bridge was constructed in the 1800s and he believes there will be a lot of upset taxpayers if the bridge were to be cut off to vehicular traffic.

“It is a bridge and having vehicles travel through it is what it was built for. Many people who visit our town like to drive through the bridge,” Hanson said.

He agreed the bridge is “a beautiful piece of architecture” but should not be a museum piece.

“I do not want to see the bridge blocked off to people who come to our village,” Hanson said.

Kropp said he wants there to be further discussion on the matter.

“It concerns me that it keeps happening that someone crashes into the bridge. This has happened multiple times and then the bridge has to be closed,” Kropp said “This bridge is a draw for the village, but it is now closed and has signs and caution tape by it.”

He said he is hopeful village and county officials can continue discussions and come up with a solution to best protect the bridge.

Kropp said village officials need to come up with a vision to showcase all the community has to offer for local residents and visitors such as the covered bridge, downtown historic business district and the USO Building at the park, which he said is no longer open to the public.

The crash late Sunday involved a male driver hitting one entrance to the bridge. Police reported the driver suffered a broken arm in the crash.