Excavator falls off flatbed onto U.S. 41

U.S. 41 in Marquette Township has re–opened after an excavator fell on its side in the eastbound lanes Friday afternoon.

The accident happened near Commerce Drive just after 1:30.

The Marquette County Sheriff’s Department says an operator for Smith Paving misaligned an excavator while attempting to load it on a flatbed trailer, causing the excavator to fall off onto U.S. 41 and blocking one lane of traffic.

The eastbound lanes from County Road 492 to Commerce Drive were closed for about an hour and half.

No injuries were reported.

The Marquette Township Fire Department and Michigan State Police assisted at the scene.