DUNKIRK — The Willow Road Bridge has claimed another vehicle as its victim. Around noon Tuesday, an RV struck the bridge, which allows for passage under the railroad tracks for vehicles 10 feet tall and under. The RV clearly missed that sign, as the top of the vehicle struck the bridge and became wedged approximately eight feet beyond the entrance.

The RV is the latest of many vehicles that have struck the bridge, which is only intensified by the detour around the Canadaway Creek Bridge on Route 5, which is currently being replaced. The closure began in May and is expected until approximately Labor Day, according to the latest update from the State Department of Transportation (DOT) in May. Initially, the DOT said the project will conclude by the end of 2026.

The bridge has a clearance of just over 10 feet, which drivers often ignore and find themselves stuck. With Willow Road as an alternative to reach Route 5 from Brigham Road in the city, and Temple Road and Chestnut Road coming from Fredonia, the area has become even more crowded since the detour was implemented. Several semi trucks have been observed backing out of areas they cannot drive through, and often utilizing residents’ driveways to turn around.

Another vehicle struck the bridge during the May monthly meeting of the Dunkirk Town Board. Supervisor Shari Miller said at the time, “I don’t know how someone can travel down Route 5 and read 11 signs and not get that they shouldn’t be ending up in (a resident’s) driveway to turn around. I just don’t get it.”