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State Evaluating Replacement Of Pedestrian Bridge Over Southfield Freeway

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - The state says it's evaluating whether to replace a pedestrian bridge over the Southfield Freeway that was pulled down last week by a trash truck.

The Michigan Department of Transportation is working to estimate damage and cleanup costs, although engineering experts put the figure at several hundred thousands of dollars.

Spokesperson Diane Cross said MDOT expects to seek reimbursement for the costs, likely from insurance for the waste disposal company whose truck was involved -- TLC Waste Disposal Services.

The bridge, between I-96 and Joy Road, collapsed onto the Southfield Freeway Friday after the bucket of a hydraulic garbage truck struck the overpass. Police say the truck driver, 54-year-old Stanford Doll of Almont, died following the crash, which left rush hour traffic snarled.

Doll's cause of death is under investigation, pending the result of toxicology tests. According to reports, Doll was walking around after the crash and appeared to have non-life-threatening injuries.

Police say two other vehicles were struck by debris from the bridge collapse, but no one else was injured.

The overpass is a well-utilized foot bridge by area residents, including students making their way to and from Cody High School just west of the freeway. Officials say the bridge was inspected by state officials in May and was due to be replaced in 2017.

RELATED: Lions QB Matthew Stafford On Scene, Uninjured After Bridge Collapse

Aftermath: Driver Killed By Collapsing Pedestrian Bridge After Crash [VIDEO]

southfield bridge
(credit: Mike Campbell/WWJ

TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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