Work van hits historic Robert Parker Coffin Bridge in Long Grove; at least 72nd time bridge has been struck
Lake and McHenry County Scanner • • business
Key Points:
- The Robert Parker Coffin Bridge in Long Grove has been struck at least 72 times since 2018, with the most recent incident involving a white work van with ladders scraping the bridge canopy on Wednesday.
- Surveillance footage captured the van getting briefly stuck under the bridge before the driver removed the ladders and left the scene without further incident.
- Past notable strikes include a large box truck trapped under the bridge in February, a bus carrying persons with disabilities hitting the bridge in November, and multiple incidents involving box trucks and oversized loads.
- Despite numerous warning signs about height restrictions and prohibitions on trucks and buses, the bridge continues to be frequently hit, causing significant disruptions and damage.
- The historic bridge, renamed in 2022 after its designer Robert Parker Coffin, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and remains a vulnerable landmark due to ongoing vehicle collisions.
