Completed in August, 2011, Ashtabula County's West Liberty Street Covered Bridge now gives Ohio, and especially Ashtabula County, bragging rights of having both the longest and shortest covered bridges in America. Crossing Cowles Creek, the 18 foot West Liberty Bridge was designed by John Smolen, the same engineer that stamped his name to the longest covered bridge in America.
   Here in Ohio's Ashtabula County, a landscape of rolling hills and winding rivers, is one of the state's most concentrated areas of covered bridges. Ranging from many historic landmarks dating back to the mid 1800s to a few built in the 21st century, the county’s covered bridges still carry automotive traffic and make up an interesting part of Ashtabula County's fall festival.
   The North and Eastern Covered Bridge Tour begins in Jefferson, just 12 miles from the Lake Erie coast. The Netcher Road Bridge, stop number 1 on this section of the 69 mile tour, is one of 18 drivable covered bridges in the county. The 110 foot structure built over Mill Creek, following a classic Neo-Victorian design, was completed in 1999. Funded by an ODOT timber grant, the bridge is supported by a timber arch and inverted Haupt trusses. This section of the county features 12 bridges, including the longest and sturdiest bridge, the 613 foot long Smolen-Gulf Bridge.

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