Antietam's Burnside Bridge Will Remain Closed All Summer

SHARPSBURG, Md. (AP) -- Managers of Antietam National Battlefield near Sharpsburg say a $1.7 million restoration of the park's most photographed feature will keep it closed to visitors during the busy summer season.

Superintendent Susan Trail told The Herald-Mail (bit.ly/1RRbznQ) newspaper of Hagerstown on Thursday that the Burnside Bridge will remain closed until at least this fall.

Problems surfaced in January 2014 when some stones from the three-arch bridge fell into Antietam Creek. An investigation revealed substantial deterioration and structural instability.

Park managers had hoped to temporarily reopen the pedestrian bridge this spring and then resume work this fall.

The 180-year-old bridge played a key role in the 1862 Battle of Antietam. A small number of Confederates defending the critical crossing held off Union forces commanded by Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside for several hours.