Trucking company sued for oversized load bridge strike in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) filed suit against an Alabama trucking company for damaged caused by a 2021 oversized load bridge strike.

The lawsuit was filed against Lincoln, Alabama-based trucking company Dove Transportation LLC on June 14, 2024, in Suffolk Superior Court.

The lawsuit was filed in response to a 2021 bridge strike that did major damage to MassDOT infrastructure.

On July 19, 2021, Dove Transportation driver Curtis Henry was transporting an oversized metal tank on southbound I-93 in Medford, Massachusetts.

While driving under the second overpass of Roosevelt Circle, the metal tank struck the underside of the bridge, causing “substantial damage” to the support beams.

Following the bridge strike, Massachusetts State Police issued citations for operating a vehicle that was “over height” and for violating a permit.

According to the lawsuit, Dove Transportation received a permit to transport the oversized load, but the permit did not allow the truck to travel on I-93 south. The permit also required that Dove find a suitable detour for any bridge with insufficient clearance.

MassDOT alleges that Dove Transportation was negligent and asks for the company to pay for the damages, costs, and interest associated with the 2021 incident.