STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ) – The Michigan Street Bridge in Sturgeon Bay was damaged after a truck towing a backhoe wedged itself in it.
It happened around 6:30 p.m. Friday, damaging multiple support beams.
Normally there are three bridges that cross the bay, but with the main Bayview bridge undergoing repairs, that left two.
The backhoe incident forced the Department of Transportation to close the Michigan Street Bridge overnight, leaving just one for traffic to cross.
“It’s protocol anytime a vehicle strikes a bridge, an overpass any kind of structure that belongs to the DOT,” Mark Kantola, Communication Manager with the DOT, told FOX 11. “We go out there, we inspect it and we make sure it’s safe for travel before we let any cars on it.”
Kantola says things could’ve been a lot worse.
“If you’re talking in July this happens and you have all this tourist traffic heading up to one of the great tourist spots of Wisconsin, you’re talking the impacts and delays could’ve been significant,” Kantola said.
The bridge reopened Saturday, but is limited to vehicles weighing less than 20 tons. Trucks that exceed that limit will be detoured to the Oregon/Maple Street Bridge.
Early next week, the DOT will perform a more detailed inspection. Kantola hopes he can gather the manpower, equipment and traffic control devices Monday, so they can begin this project as soon as possible.
To check the status of the Bayview Bridge renovations, click here.
