Historic Wehr's Mill Covered Bridge is closed.

Built in 1841, the 137-foot-long, 17-foot-wide span crossing the Jordan Creek in South Whitehall was damaged by an overweight fuel tanker just before 11 a.m. July 25.

South Whitehall Township Police Lt. John Christman emailed The Press July 28 saying Officer Jason Grozier, while on patrol, saw a Lehigh Petroleum Transport fuel tanker traveling north on Wehr's Mill Road.

Driven by Robert J. Wolkowicz, the full tanker, with a maximum gross weight of 80,000 pounds, was crossing the Burr Arch design bridge posted at 10 tons.

As the tanker crossed the covered bridge, a snapping sound was heard by Grozier.

The police officer conducted a traffic stop and the tanker was weighed.

The tanker weighed 76,360 pounds – 56,360 pounds over the bridge's weight capacity, Christman emailed.

According to Christman, the covered bridge was shut down for safety concerns and will be closed for at least a week or until it is deemed structurally sound.

The bridge was expected to be inspected July 30 by Lehigh County engineers.

South Whitehall police are working with the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office regarding charges against Wolkowicz and restitution.

They are also monitoring the Cedar Crest Boulevard detour closely and urge motorists to use Route 309 instead of the covered bridges.

Cedar Creek Boulevard Bridge on North Cedar Crest Boulevard, which is closed for repairs, is scheduled to reopen Aug. 8.