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NORTHWOOD, N.D. (WDAY) — It may take up to $1 million to replace a more than century-old Grand Forks County bridge that collapsed Monday, June 22, after police say a driver in a semi-truck more than three times over the bridge’s weight limit attempted to make a crossing.
At around 1:15 p.m., Michael Dodds was driving a semi-truck with a load of dry beans about 1.5 miles southwest of Northwood when he attempted to cross a 56-foot weight-restricted bridge across the Goose River, according to a news release from the Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Office.
The bridge, which was built in 1906 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is only rated for 14 tons gross weight. The weight of Dodds’ truck, trailer and the load it was carrying was just over 43 tons, the sheriff’s office said. The bridge collapsed under the weight of Dodds’ truck and the trailer got hung up on the west abutment of the bridge.
Dodds was uninjured in the collapse and was given an $11,400 fine, according to the release. The Grand Forks County Sheriff’s office said the estimated replacement cost of the bridge is between $800,000 and $1 million.
Authorities said Third Avenue Northeast will be closed between 36th Street Northeast and 37th Northeast because of the collapse.
Northwood is about 25 miles southwest of Grand Forks.
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