PIERRE S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) A semi driven by a man from Huron is the latest victim of Pierre’s low-clearance train bridge near the Pierre Street and Sioux Avenue intersection.
Information from the Pierre Police Department says at around 5pm CT Friday (May 24, 2024), officers were called to the train viaduct for a traffic crash. Terrance Johnson was northbound on Pierre Street in a loaded, 2007 Kenworth bullrack. The trailer exceeded the 11’ 3” height limit for the bridge, ultimately hitting the bridge and causing damage to the trailer. Another truck and cattle trailer were called to the scene to transfer the cattle before the truck and trailer could be moved.
There was no apparent damage to the train bridge, but there was damage to the roadway. Officers had to shut down northbound traffic on Pierre Street for about an hour and a half while crews worked to remove the truck and trailer.
Johnson was given a verbal warning.
Getting hit is nothing new for the bridge underpass along a major route of travel in Pierre. The route takes traffic north or south through the middle of Pierre and it is no trouble for regular-sized vehicles. However, the low clearance (11 feet, 3 inches) causes trouble for semis, large RVs and other tall vehicles that don’t take the truck route instead of the “regular” route through town.
