The city of Sturgeon Bay was down to two operating bridges as the Michigan Street Bridge for almost four hours after a semi-truck accident.

Door County Highway Commissioner Thad Ash said just before 3:45 p.m. that the DOT had completed its inspection and that the bridge was safe to travel on. The bridge may have to be closed in the future for repairs.

ORIGINAL STORY

Door County Highway Commissioner Thad Ash stated in a news release that shortly before noon on Wednesday, a semi-truck struck some of the overhead support structure near the angle braces of the bridge. There was also some oil leakage on the west side of the bridge after the semi-truck exited onto Madison Avenue. 

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation will be inspecting the damage and will make a recommendation on the Michigan Street Bridge status. 

The Sturgeon Bay Police Department posted that they are hopeful that the closure will only last for several hours.  The bridge sidewalk remains open for bicycle and pedestrian traffic. 

FROM THE DOT

Michigan Street Bridge in Sturgeon Bay to reopen by 4:30 p.m. today

Bridge safe for travel following vehicle strike to overhead member structures

(Sturgeon Bay) The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Northeast Region announces the Michigan Street Bridge in Sturgeon Bay, Door County will REOPEN to traffic by 4:30 p.m., today, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021. WisDOT closed the bridge following a vehicle strike this afternoon from a southbound vehicle that hit multiple members of the overhead structure.

Northeast Region bridge engineers conducted an initial inspection of bridge component parts and damage and deemed the bridge safe for all vehicle and pedestrian travel.

WisDOT Bureau of Structures and bridge engineers are in the process of developing plans to repair the overhead members damaged by the vehicle. The repair scope, schedule and costs have not been determined at this point. WisDOT will release repair information following further investigation.