Officials Add Sensor After ‘can Opener’ Bridge Causes 107 Crashes

Paul's plan:

I'd put on flashers, inch up to it, and GOAL to see if I can clear it. Sometimes those signs aren't accurate and you can make it after all. If you can make it, it's alot easier than calling law enforcement and having them back you out of there.

I've been under this bridge (near Tuscaloosa, AL) three times. Each time it's flashers on, move by inches till I'm sure i can pass, then scoot.

STOP, let the air out of all of your tires, drive under the bridge, re- inflate all of your tires, proceed!

Paul's plan:

I'd put on flashers, inch up to it, and GOAL to see if I can clear it. Sometimes those signs aren't accurate and you can make it after all. If you can make it, it's alot easier than calling law enforcement and having them back you out of there.

I've been under this bridge (near Tuscaloosa, AL) three times. Each time it's flashers on, move by inches till I'm sure i can pass, then scoot.

Ok phew! My plan has the TT stamp of approval haha. What makes me really nervous are overhanging wires and low bridges with no clearance posted.

I missed a turn in Buffalo the other day and had to stop in the middle of the street with flashers on. I got out and talked to a man standing in front of his house, then called the police, who told me I wouldnt get a ticket as long as I didn't hit anything haha. There were overhanging wires though, so I was doing the whole GOAL thing in the middle of the street with people behind me. Fun times indeed

STOP, let the air out of all of your tires, drive under the bridge, re- inflate all of your tires, proceed!

Don't let anyone catch you doing this or you'll be in the next Swift meme haha. I can see it now...

"I wanted to haul flatbed..." [Background picture of Swift truck with 18 flat tires]

Big Scott ponders:

How does one drive and not pay attention to what is ahead?

It's not what's ahead. Even that driver sees that sign. But he has to match up the sign with the information he should know, but not thinking about: height of the truck.

When I see a bridge sign, I always compare it to my (and probably your) truck height: 13'6". The one that gets me is 16'3".

Stop or go?

Stop if I'm deadhead. Go very, very slowly if I have at least 30,000 in the box, and I've scaled it and know it's reasonably balanced.

I have to reply to this again. I fail to understand why the problem hasn't been fixed.

What is the problem? Not enough clearance.

Sure, raising the bridge would be a nightmare, but there are TWO ways you can increase clearance.

Dig out the roadway until you have 14-foot clearance. Shore up the foundations if necessary. Flatten the road to either side of the bridge.

It's not rocket science. Road construction is expensive, but so are bridge repairs, and 107 destroyed vehicles. That's not even mentioning the human costs. Lives are priceless.

Some bridges in big cities might not be able to be dug out because of subways, access tunnels, utilities, etc. But most low bridges that I've seen are in out of the way places where the roadway could certainly be dug down.

Big Scott ponders:

How does one drive and not pay attention to what is ahead?

It's not what's ahead. Even that driver sees that sign. But he has to match up the sign with the information he should know, but not thinking about: height of the truck.

When I see a bridge sign, I always compare it to my (and probably your) truck height: 13'6". The one that gets me is 16'3".

Stop or go?

That bridge is on US 82. Been under that bridge many times when I was driving for JB Hunt.

Ernie

STOP, let the air out of all of your tires, drive under the bridge, re- inflate all of your tires, proceed!

Don't let anyone catch you doing this or you'll be in the next Swift meme haha. I can see it now...

"I wanted to haul flatbed..." [Background picture of Swift truck with 18 flat tires]

The lowest point for overhanging wires is supposed to be 14' across roads, thats national electiral codes standards. So if anyone hits the wires then its their fault for not checking the height clearances I would assume. Now if your truck hits the iwres and your under or at the height limit 13'6" then the city or state your driving thru would be responsible I would assume. I used to be an electrician so I somewhat know the rules in this instance. If anyone has a problem then they should contact whoever they need to I'm assuming.

I do know in Florida that traffic signal heads must be at least 14 feet above the roadway.

Best to be cautious of course, but I think it would be a huge mistake to label something as 13' 6" if a standard truck couldn't fit under it. On the Maine Turnpike (I95) there are signs at the on-ramps that say Turnpike Structure Underclearance 13' 6", and of course a 13'6" truck can fit under any underpass. Although it is kind of scary to watch a truck in front of you, it looks like it only clears by a few inches.