Truck that crossed bridge illegally meets up with law

Police are monitoring the Stillwater Lift Bridge to ensure compliance. (Associated Press Photo)

The Trucker News Services

7/10/2008

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL — An 18-wheeler that illegally crossed the Stillwater Lift Bridge literally ran into the law Wednesday, according to an article in the Minnepolis-St. Paul StarTribune.

The truck had just crossed the bridge into Minnesota and was making a turn when the driver hit a state commercial vehicle inspector's truck and tore off its bumper, said State Patrol Lt. Mark Peterson.

The driver was issued a citation for failing to obey an order banning heavy trucks and vehicles from crossing the bridge over the St. Croix River. Earlier this week, a truck carrying a boom damaged several cross braces and vertical supports, and the bridge was closed to all traffic for about five hours on Monday.

After inspections, officials determined that cars and lightweight trucks could continue using the 77-year-old bridge, but heavy trucks and commercial vehicles were to follow a detour and use a bridge seven miles downstream.

Police are monitoring the bridge to ensure compliance.

"They are out there looking for people, and he got caught," Peterson said.

The only casualty in the incident was the inspector's Tahoe.

"That was a brand-new truck," Peterson said.