Yesterday morning, an oversized semi-truck collided with the 144th Avenue bridge over US-131 northbound near Dorr, leading to a multiple-vehicle accident and an hours-long freeway closure. MLive reported that the incident occurred around 10 a.m., with the truck exceeding the bridge's height limit, an error causing subsequent crashes involving three vehicles.
According to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the damage from the crash necessitated an immediate shutdown for cleanup and inspection, with northbound lanes closing just after the 142nd Avenue exit. The freeway was reopened later that day, around 2:45 p.m., a timeframe echoed by both MDOT and the Allegan County Sheriff's Office (ACSO).
Despite the dramatic accident, only minor injuries were reported, with the Allegan County Road Commission later declaring on social media that the 144th Avenue bridge would be closed until further notice. They advised, via WZZM13, "144th Avenue over US-131 is closed until further notice due to a hit on the structure from US-131 traffic. Please seek alternate routes," echoing concerns for travelers' safety and the need for rerouting due to the structural assessment pending on the bridge.
WOODTV added details on the traffic situation, highlighting that the extended closure caused backups as far as Wayland. Cleanup efforts and assessments by the state authorities were aimed at ensuring the bridge's structural integrity was not compromised beyond the visible damage, a necessary precaution to prevent future mishaps on the vital thoroughfare.
