A commercial truck hauling hundreds of logs struck a bridge over US-131 in Plainwell early Wednesday morning, spilling timber across the highway and causing a second crash. No one was hurt, but the incident has reignited frustration at the Michigan Department of Transportation over a pattern of preventable bridge strikes along the corridor.

The crash

At around 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 6, a heavy commercial truck hit the 110th Avenue overpass on northbound US-131 in Gun Plain Township, according to the Allegan County Sheriff's Office.

The impact caused numerous logs to spill onto the freeway. A second commercial truck then crashed into the debris scattered across the pavement, deputies said.

No injuries were reported in either crash.

Deputies closed one northbound lane of US-131 and shut 110th Avenue on both sides of the overpass. Traffic backups built through the morning commute. By approximately 8:25 a.m., all lanes of US-131 had reopened and MDOT crews cleared 110th Avenue for traffic after inspecting the bridge.

A pattern on US-131

This is not the first time a commercial vehicle has struck a bridge on US-131 in Allegan County.

John Richard, an MDOT spokesperson, called the recurring crashes "mind-blowing."

"It's just pure negligence on the part of the truck driver," Richard said.

The 110th Avenue bridge has a clearance of 14 feet, 3 inches. Truckers are required to pass a permit process proving they know the height of every bridge on their route, as well as the height and weight of their load, Richard said.

Bridges at 146th Avenue, 144th Avenue, and 140th Avenue were also struck by vehicles in 2025. The 146th Avenue bridge was hit twice that year.

Lt. Brandon Berens of the Allegan County Sheriff's Office expressed frustration at the pattern.

"We've had the bridge at 140th Avenue get hit, we had the bridge at 144th Avenue get it, and then 146th Avenue has been hit twice this year," Berens said. "So, I wish we had a better solution as far as how we stop the semis from carrying the oversized loads and striking them."

The cost of damage

Richard said these crashes are compounding a broader funding crisis at MDOT. The agency plans infrastructure projects years in advance. When a bridge is struck, resources must be diverted from other structures nearing the end of their service lives.

"We have projects that are programmed five years out," Richard said. "So, we know what's coming for stuff that needs to be replaced, needs to rehabbed, improved, patched, whatever. So anything like this, a high load hit is just going to be an additional expense that's going to further make the funding crisis worse."

MDOT said it will continue to work with law enforcement and commercial trucking companies to improve safety on the roads.

What we know

  • Time: Approximately 4:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 6, 2026
  • Location: 110th Avenue overpass on northbound US-131, Plainwell area, Allegan County
  • Vehicles: Two commercial trucks
  • Injuries: None reported
  • Road status: All lanes reopened by approximately 8:25 a.m. after MDOT inspection cleared the bridge
  • Bridge clearance: 14 feet, 3 inches