BYRON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — For 60 years, the 100th Street overpass carrying traffic over US-131 south of Grand Rapids did its job without many people noticing.
That changed Jan. 12, when a pair of trucks carrying oversized loads along US-131 slammed into the bridge deck, shutting the overpass down for two weeks. Michigan Department of Transportation officials determined the damaged structure could only support one lane of traffic when it reopened.
Since then, the bridge has been hit four more times by trucks hauling lumber, pallets and a mobile home. The last hit came April 6 despite signs warning about the height of the bridge far in advance.
Hitting the bridge is a civil infraction that's even less serious than a speeding ticket.
Tickets are issued by Michigan State Police and fines are assigned by the Kent County District Court.
The maximum fine is $250. The Michigan Secretary of State says the infraction doesn't cost truckers any points on their license.
Full story: WOOD TV