Drawbridge Over Rouge River In Detroit Damaged By Freighter

DETROIT (WWJ) - The drawbridge over the Rouge River in Detroit will remain closed indefinitely after a freighter hit the bridge early Sunday morning.

Coast Guard -Detroit spokesman, Lieutenent Justin Westmiller, says the Herbert C. Jackson freighter had been given permission to pass through when the operator lowered the bridge onto the freighter.

"The freighter received some damage above the water line , so there's no water tight integrity issues at this point and also the bridge received some pretty extensive damage," Westmiller said.

The bridge is closed for now, but Westmiller says Wayne County is working to get it re-opened for river traffic as soon as possible.

"They are working very diligently to make sure we can open and close the bridge for waterway traffic,"  he said.

Westmiller says the operator of the drawbridge has been taken into custody by police and is being tested for alcohol and drugs.