Otsego, MI – Drivers in Otsego and surrounding Allegan County are being asked to find alternate routes Wednesday after a very large load fell into the roadway, forcing authorities to close part of East River Street.
According to an emergency message from the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office relayed by the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids at 1:42 p.m. EDT Wednesday, East River Street is closed at North Farmer Street because of the obstruction. The Otsego Fire Department issued the local alert.
Authorities warned motorists to expect delays in the area. As of the afternoon alert, officials did not provide an estimated time for when the roadway would reopen.
The circumstances surrounding how the large load ended up in the roadway were not immediately detailed in the emergency message. Officials also did not report whether anyone was injured or whether any vehicles were damaged.
Drivers traveling through Otsego should avoid the intersection of East River Street and North Farmer Street when possible and allow additional time for trips through the area. Motorists who encounter traffic near the closure should follow instructions from emergency personnel and use caution while navigating alternate routes.
The closure affects traffic in Otsego, a community in Allegan County northwest of the Kalamazoo metro area in Southwest Michigan. Local traffic could remain disrupted while crews deal with the load and work to clear the roadway.
Motorists planning to travel through the affected area Wednesday afternoon should check for updated information before leaving, particularly because authorities have not announced how long the closure is expected to last.
