Historic covered bridges in the United States are under threat by the use of the modern technology GPS.
美国历史悠久的廊桥正受到GPS这种现代技术的威胁。
GPS is short for Global Positioning System. The satellite system tells people who use map applications what roads to use to go from one place to another.
GPS是全球定位系统的缩写。这种卫星系统会告诉地图应用程序的用户从一地到另一地走什么路。
The historic bridges usually have signs, including flashing lights, to warn trucks that are too tall or too heavy not to cross. But some truck drivers do not follow the warnings and crash into the bridge. They say the GPS directed them onto the bridge. Many times, the drivers are using systems made for cars instead of large trucks.
历史悠久的桥梁通常都有标志，包括闪光灯，以警告那些太高或太重而无法通过的卡车。但一些卡车司机没有听从警告，然后撞上了桥。他们说GPS指引他们上了桥。很多时候，这些司机都是使用为小汽车而不是为大卡车制作的系统。
In the northeastern state of Vermont, Lyndon town officials say the 146-year-old Miller's Bridge has been hit more than 20 times.
在东北部佛蒙特州，林登镇官员说，有146年历史的米勒大桥已经被撞了20多次。
Justin Smith is an administrator for Lyndon. "GPS is the most general excuse that is given by drivers that do hit the bridge," he said. Drivers can face a fine of $5,000 from the town, plus payments to the state. But he added that the real problem is drivers simply not thinking about their actions.
贾斯汀·史密斯是林登镇的行政长官。他说：“GPS是那些撞上大桥的司机给出的最普遍的借口。”司机可能面临该镇5000美元的罚款，以及州政府的罚款。但他补充说，真正的问题是司机根本不考虑自己的行为。
Jack Harris is the head of Lyndon's police. He said that the bridge had to be closed twice for major repairs. Each time, it took several months to finish the job.
杰克·哈里斯是林登镇的警察局长。他说，为了进行大修，这座桥不得不关闭两次。每次都要花几个月的时间才能完成这项工作。
In 2019, a truck hit the bridge supports. Engineering and repair costs were nearly $100,000, said Smith.
2019年，一辆卡车撞上了桥梁支座。史密斯说，工程和维修费用将近10万美元。
About half the time, the town gets its money back through the drivers' insurance — if it catches them. Many drivers simply drive away without telling officials about the accident. A nearby security camera aimed at the bridge has helped officials find some drivers.
大约有一半的时间，小镇能通过司机的保险拿回钱 — 如果抓到了他们的话。许多司机在没有告诉官员发生事故的情况下就直接开车离开了。附近的安防摄像头对准了大桥，帮助官员找到了一些司机。
"They will claim that they didn't know they hit it and yet you'll see the truck stop in the middle of the bridge and they'll look up to see that they're hitting the bridge," Police Chief Harris said.
警察局长哈里斯说：“他们会声称不知道自己撞到了桥上，但你会看到卡车停在桥中央，他们会抬头看到自己撞上了桥。”
Bill Caswell is president of the National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges. He said trucks have damaged many covered bridges in Vermont and other states like Illinois and Ohio.
比尔·卡斯维尔是美国国家廊桥保护协会主席。他说，卡车损坏了佛蒙特州、伊利诺伊州和俄亥俄州等州的许多廊桥。
Caswell said trucks hit a covered bridge in Cobb County, Georgia, so many times that officials put metal barriers at each end of it. The bridge also has warning signs and flashing lights.
卡斯韦尔说，卡车多次撞上佐治亚州科布县的一座廊桥，以至于官员们在桥的两端都设置了金属护栏。这座桥还设有警告标志和闪光灯。
"Even with all the warnings, the barriers are still struck," Caswell wrote to The Associated Press. "But the bridge is now protected."
卡斯韦尔在给美联社的信中写道：“即使有了这些警告设施，护栏仍然被撞。但这座桥现在受到了保护。”
Back in Lyndon, the town is looking at plans to put a steel beam in front of the bridge. The beam would force trucks that are too tall to come to a stop.
说回林登，该镇正考虑在大桥前安装限高杆的计划。限高杆会迫使太高的卡车停车。
A Google spokesperson said their Google Maps' app is made for drivers of cars and small trucks. The spokesperson added that drivers of larger vehicles should use different systems.
谷歌发言人表示，他们的谷歌地图应用程序是为汽车和小型卡车司机设计的。发言人补充说，大型车辆的驾驶员应该使用不同的系统。
Apple also has a "Maps" app. The company did not answer an Associated Press email asking for comment.
苹果公司也有“地图”应用程序。该公司没有回复美联社要求置评的电子邮件。
In Lyndon, there are different ideas in town about what to do, said Smith, the administrator.
行政长官史密斯表示，林登镇对该做怎么办意见不一。
"Some people obviously want to see something that protects the bridge so we can keep it in place," he said. "Others are like: ‘It's time to take it off and set it on the side and put a more standard bridge in."
他说：“有些人显然想看到对大桥做一些保护，这样我们就可以把它保护下来。其他人则想：‘是时候把它拆了放到一边，然后造一座更标准的桥了。’”
I'm Andrew Smith.
我是安德鲁·史密斯。(51VOA.COM原创翻译，请勿转载，违者必究！)