History - Big Penny Bridge

Date	Info
10/20/2023	Unit One was traveling NB on S Pennsylvania Ave, past Lindbergh Dr. The road begins to lower in elevation in order to go under a set of train tracks. There are at least two 12 ft Low Clearance signs in between Lindbergh Dr and the train tracks. Unit One continued north and attempted to drive under the bridge for the train tracks. The top of Unit One struck the bottom of the bridge, causing Unit One to become stuck under the bridge. link
10/10/2023	Unit 1 advised he was following his gps system and went under the Bridge and sheared off the top of his trailer. Unit 1 stated he has never been through Lansing before.
7/17/2023	#1 was southbound on S Pennsylvania and did not see the warning signs for the upcoming bridge/railroad crossing. #1 stated he was preoccupied. #1 attempted to stop but was unable to and struck the overhead bridge
7/12/2023	Driver of vehicle 1 advised he was traveling s/b on S Pennsylvania Ave when he approached the bridge, he thought his semi truck would fit under the 12ft bridge. The semi truck didn't which caused the truck to hit the bridge, no damage to bridge just to the truck.
7/11/2023	UNIT 1 was traveling North Bound on S. Pennsylvania Ave when it was unable to clear the posted height of the bridge near Potter Park Road. UNIT 1 struck the bridge but was able to get drive away. UNIT 1 had damage done to the roof of the truck but nothing that compromised the integrity of the truck. No injuries were reported
6/7/2023	Unit 1 was traveling south bound on S Pennsylvania. Unit 1 did not notice the height of the overpass. As Unit 1 went under the overpass the top of the vehicle was removed
12/13/2022	UNIT ONE WAS NB ON PENNSYLVANIA JUST NORTH OF POTTER PARK. UNIT ONE THOUGHT HIS TRUCK WAS SHORT ENOUGH TO CLEAR A BRIDGE IN THE ROADWAY. THE ROOF OF UNIT ONE COLLIDED WITH THE BRIDGE link
7/29/2022	Unit 1 was traveling south bound on S Pennsylvania just north of Potter Park. Unit 1 drove under the Canadian Railroad overpass and the top of his truck hit the bridge. The top of the truck was sheared off. It did not appear that the Railroad Bridge was damaged but the railroad was notified to inspect the bridge. The vehicle was drivable and no injuries were reported on scene
2/19/2022	large box truck travelling southbound on s penn hit overhead traintrack bridge. truck was too tall for bridge
9/19/2021	UNIT 1: Unit 1 advised they were driving northbound on S Penn. Unit 1 stated they drove underneath the bridge and didn't realize that they hit the bridge. Unit 1 continued to drive northbound on S Penn. Unit 1 was advised about hitting the bridge further up the road and called about the incident later. DAMAGE TO PROPERTY: There was no new visible damage to the bridge overall. INJURIES: No one was injured from the accident. VEHICLE DISPOSITION: The vehicle was still operational and was able to drive away
9/15/2021	Veh 1 traveling northbound on S Pennsylvania Ave just north of Potter Park Zoo. While going under the railroad bridge, the top of the truck struck the bridge. A metal piece of the top of the truck was dislodged. Due to other maintenance concerns and possible damage to drive-train, vehicle was towed by Shroyers. No injuries. No obvious new damage to the bridge.
9/12/2021	Driver was heading northbound on S Pennsylvania Street. She was driving under the bridge north of the Potter Park zoo, the top of her vehicle struck the bridge.
6/15/2021	Driver of Unit 1 stated he was driving s/b on S Pennsylvania Ave near the bridge for the Canadian Railroad when he struck it with the top of his company rental truck. The driver advised he did not know the truck was that tall. The top of the truck sustained functional damage and was drivable. No injuries were reported.
5/17/2021	V1 WAS NB ON S PENNSYLVANIA WHEN IT ATTEMPTED TO PASS UNDER THE POTTER PARK RAIL BRIDGE. V1 EXCEEDED THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE HEIGHT FOR PASSING UNDER THE BRIDGE RESULTING IN A COLLISION. NO INJURIES AND NO IMMEDIETLY APPARENT DAMAGE TO THE BRIDGE.
8/14/2020	Unit 1 was driving north bound on S Pennsylvania Ave as they approached the train bridge near Potter Park Zoo. Unit 1 was driving at listed speeds when they miscalculated the overhead clearance of their vehicle and became stuck under the train bridge. No injuries were sustained. No apparent damage occurred to the bridge and bridge engineers had come out to inspect it
5/13/2020	Unit 1 was driving South bound on S Pennsylvania under the railroad bridge in front of Potter Park Zoo. Unit 1 was too tall and did not fit under the bridge. As a result, the roof and back door of unit 1 were tore off the trailer compartment of the truck
9/4/2019	A semi that was stuck under the viaduct in front of Potter Park in Lansing, has been cleared. Roads are okay to drive again. link
7/1/2019	Veh. 1 was north bound Pennsylvania Ave at Potter Park when he was driving under the rail road bridge that runs over Pennsylvania Ave. The driver did not realize that the bridge was lower than normal and hit the overhead railway with the trailer he was pulling
6/28/2019	Driver stated he was traveling southbound in the left lane on S Pennsylvania passing under the Canadian National Railway bridge north of Fayette, when the top of the vehicle struck the overpass due to lack of clearance
4/24/2019	veh #1 was SB on S Pennsylvania. He truck was too high for the Canadian National Railway bridge and he got wedged. PJ's towed the truck out and to MSU. Damage to truck. No injuries.
2/1/2019	Unit1 was n/b on Pennsylvania Ave. Unit 1 approached the railroad trussle overpass near Haco Dr. Unit 1 vehicle was taller than the bridge. Unit 1 struck the railroad trussle.
1/21/2019	Unit one was traveling south on Pennsylvania avenue near Potter Park. Unit one stated that he did not realize the bridge was as low as it was. Unit one stated that he attempted to go under the bridge but struck the bridge. Minor damage to the vehicle and only scrapes visible on the underside of bridge. No serious structural damage seen. No injuries.
10/2/2018	Unit 1 stated he was heading north bound on S Pennsylvania just passing the potter park zoo when the top of his rental truck got stuck underneath the bridge. The clearing distance for the bridge is 12'0". The clearance for the truck Unit 1 was driving is 13'6". Unit 1 stated he did not see the height of the bridge until it was too late. No injuries were reported on scene. Canadian National responded to the scene. Inspector deemed the bridge safe to pass through
8/13/2018	Driver #1 was s/b on S Pennsylvania Ave in the left lane when he drove his 13 foot tall truck under the 12 foot tall railroad bridge near the Potter Park Zoo entrance. The enclosed box had heavy damage to the roof.
10/7/2016	Unit 1 was S/B on Pennsylvania Ave. Unit 1 approached the low hanging bridge over the roadway. Unit 1 thought he had enough clearance. Unit 1 proceeded through. Unit 1 did not have the clearance, striking the bridge with the top of his vehicle. link
6/6/2016	VEH. ONE WAS SOUTH BOUND ON S. PENNSYLVANIA AVE. AT POTTER PARK ZOO. VEH. ONE WAS TOO TALL FOR THE RAILROAD BRIDGE GOING OVER S. PENNSYLVANIA AND HIT THE BRIDGE.
4/2/2016	A large truck hit the overpass and there was debris all over the roadway. The driver stated that he was north bound on Pennsylvania Ave. in the far east lane when he struck the over pass because his truck was too tall.
9/11/2015	Unit 1 was traveling north on Pennsylvania Ave. Unit 1 is new to the job, did not realize the height of the truck he was operating. The bridge is posted 12'. The height of the truck exceeded 12'. The top of Unit 1 made contact with the top front side of the bridge link
6/23/2015	Unit 1 was S/B on Pennsylvania and attempted to go under the bridge that is near Potter Park Zoo. The driver indicated that he slowed down thinking that it might be a close fit but ultimately the truck struck the bridge. He was then able to go in reverse and dislodge the vehicle from the bridge
6/5/2015	Driver of vehicle #1 was traveling north on S. Pennsylvania Ave approaching its intersection with Haco Rd. A train trestle crosses over S. Pennsylvania ave south of Haco Rd. The train tressel is clearly marked clearance 12 ft several times as drivers approach it. Vehicle #1 was 13 feet tall. Vehicle #1 traveled under the bridge where it became wedged underneath it
5/18/2015	V#1 was S/B on Pennsylvania. The roof of V#1 struck a railroad bridge rated for 12' heighth as V#1 was attempting to pass underneath it.
10/31/2014	driver drove directly under the bridge, the vehicle was too high for the low bridge, the top of the truck impacted the bridge and tore the box off of the truck
4/21/2014	Unit 1 was NB S. Pennsylvania near Potter Park Zoo. Unit 1 was to tall for the 12' high RR bridge which sits just north of the zoo entrance an south of Haco Dr. Driver stated he was unaware that he would not fit under the bridge. Unit 1 struck the bridge causing damage to the top of his 26 foot long truck bed.
12/11/2013	Unit 1 was NB S Pennsylvania. Unit 1 was to tall for bridge near Potter Park Zoo. Unit 1 got stuck under bridge. link
12/20/2012	Veh #1 was southbound Pennsylvania and went under the train trestle bridge near Potter park. The bridge clearance is 12 feet. #1 is a delivery box truck, that was too tall. The top of the box collided with bridge damaging the truck. No damage to the bridge
11/10/2011	VEH#1 WAS S/B ON PENNNSYLVANIA WHEN HE HIT THE BRIDGE JUST SOUTH OF HACO DR. THIS BRIDGE IS ONLY 12 FEET TALL THE VEH WAS 13 FEET TALL. link
7/11/2011	Veh#1 s/b Penn got wedged under the GTW RR trestle. Veh height is 13'. Bridge clearance is placarded 12' max. Truck is equipped with a hydraulic boom/equip for lifting logs. Driver stated he knows he's not supposed to drive that particular truck thru this area of Pennsylvania. Momentary mental lapse.
7/7/2011	Veh#1 attempted to go under bridge at pennsylvania and haco. veh 1 hit bridge. no damage to bridge. took top off of veh1.
1/21/2010	The driver was north bound on Pennsylvania in a media van and collided with the bridge. The satellite mast struck the bridge. No noticeable damage to the bridge
9/2/2009	Vehicle #1 was northbound on Pennsylvania in the centermost Northbound lane. The vehicle went under a bridge on Pennsylvania South of Haco. The vehicle was too tall to clear the bridge. The vehicle then struck the underside of the bridge causing damage. link
1/23/2009	Unit 1 said he thought his truck was 12 ft high. He said he saw the 12 ft signs approaching the RR bridge. Unit 1 said that when he made it under the first bridge he thought he would be ok. He heard the crunch when he hit.
6/11/2008	Veh #1 was NB on Pennsylvania and believed the height of the truck was less than 12 ft. Veh #1 attempted to travel underneath the railroad bridge and the top of the truck struck the cement
2/22/2008	Veh #1 was NB on Pennsylvania and struck the bridge with the top of the truck. Driver stated he did not see the warning system.
2/9/2008	Veh #1 was SB on Pennsylvania, driver stated he slowed down because he thought the bridge was too low for his truck to clear. He continued ahead and struck with bridge with the cargo box of his truck.
7/22/2007	Veh #1 SB on Pennsylvania collided with bottom of bridge. Driver stated he did not see the warning flashes until it was too late.
2/16/2007	Veh #1 NB on Pennsylvania attempted to go under the bridge. Trailer too high.
2/8/2007	N/A
7/25/2006	Veh #1 was SB and hit the concrete on the railroad bridge.
8/28/2006	Veh #1 was SB on Pennsylvania, driver saw signal stating "vehicle too high" and was unable to stop in time. He stated that his truck then became lodged uder the railroad bridge.
12/21/2006	Vehicle SB on Pennsylvania Avenue driver said he slowed down and drove under the bridge slowly. Top of truck hit the bridge resulting in minor damage to the top of the box in cargo area. link
1/14/2005	A 13 foot enclosed cargo van type trailer attempted to pass under a 12 foot railroad bridge.
9/20/2005	A Semi from Quebec. Its load of lumber hit the bridge and lost its load. link
6/24/2004	Veh #1 was NB on Pennsylvania. Saw Bridge sign for 12 ft looked on truck for height did not see info. Proceeded slowly but still hit bridge. link

Credit: Lansing State Journal

Cold but not forgotten [backup]

8/1/14 - Semi becomes stuck beneath overpass [backup]