Jump to content
Model Cars Magazine Forum

World's toughest bridge near Durham , NC


slusher

Recommended Posts

That looks more like those Modern High Deck buses with increased baggage

storage underneath. Not a Double decker, (Only one set of Windows)

I saw this. Had links from both mail, & yahoo.

and there was another similar at an Airport or Casino where the bus driver made a wrong turn

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I like the guy at about 0:45 who backs up and hangs a left after hitting the bridge. "Who? Me? I didn't hit a bridge. I wasn't even near that bridge. Oh, that? Naw, this is one of those new box vans with a rollback roof for hauling giraffes. Picked it up at the dealer today."

Later-

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Maybe you guys can help me. There was a trucker movie in the seventies, starring Peter Fonda or Jerry Reed, where he came to a bridge where the difference in clearance was mere inches. The character driving the truck get's out, let's half the air out of all the tires and says "If ya can't raise the bridge, yuh lower the river!"

Was that "White Line Fever"?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I assume that all of those trucks were legal as far as their height. So isn't it the city's obligation to make sure that the bridge is high enough to allow legal vehicles to pass under it?

Actually no. Most cities responsibility extends only as far as posting a height limit sign as well as an alternate route designation. If the driver doesn't read the signs you get fun videos out of it. :D

Edited by MAGNUM4342
Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Hmmmm..... reckon what that there sign and flashing lights is fer??? I dunno, shoot the gas to it fer it turns red!" If you notice, whenever an overheight vehicle is coming, the yellow lights are flashing. After they get hung under the bridge or shave some from the top, they go off. I can make out "when flashing" on the bottom of the sign, but can't make out the words above it. The city has obviously put up a warning devise of some sort. But, it obviously still doesn't work for some people.

If I remember right, there's signs something like 1/4-1/2 mile from there with plenty of chance to stop and turn before the buildings those cameras are in.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Actually no. Most cities responsibility extends only as far as posting a height limit sign as well as an alternate route designation. If the driver doesn't read the signs you get fun videos out of it. :D

Apparently the story is this: The bridge is about 100 years old, built before there were any standards in place. The bridge is the property of the railroad, who's only interest in the bridge is making sure it's safe for their trains... they don't much care what happens underneath the bridge. And they're not going to spend the money to rebuild the bridge to modern standards as long as nobody can make them do it. The railroad "fixed" the problem by installing a steel "crash beam" to guard the bridge, not the trucks! So as far as the railroad is concerned... problem solved!

The city installed the warning signs and flashing lights, but they can't force people to pay attention. And as you can see by the video, most of the trucks that crash into the bridge are local delivery-box type trucks or rentals... in either case the drivers probably have no idea what the height of the truck is and assume the signs are only meant for "big rigs."

And the maintenance of the road itself is under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina DOT, which probably has way bigger problems to deal with. Plus there's a big old water main right below the road, so tearing up the road and lowering it (instead of raising the bridge) is out of the question, too, for $$$ reasons.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Movie was "High Ballin' " and stared BOTH Jerry Reed & Peter Fonda!!!

Iron Duke was Jerry's CB handle!!!

I also have the Paperback!!!!

Wish it was on DVD now!

I do have the copy I taped, but no working VHS!!

They were hauling a car carrier full of cars.

They made it under, but still ended up loosing the load.

Edited by Edsel-Dan
Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Hmmmm..... reckon what that there sign and flashing lights is fer??? I dunno, shoot the gas to it fer it turns red!" If you notice, whenever an overheight vehicle is coming, the yellow lights are flashing. After they get hung under the bridge or shave some from the top, they go off. I can make out "when flashing" on the bottom of the sign, but can't make out the words above it. The city has obviously put up a warning devise of some sort. But, it obviously still doesn't work for some people.

They installed a sensor where if an oncoming truck is too tall, it sets off the flashing lights. But some people just don't get it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Maybe they need the sign and lights farther in front of the bridge!!

Or add a Loud Siren/Horn that even states something like "You are Too Tall to pass"

Or maybe a crossing gate like at a Rail crossing activated by the height sensor.

Or change the lights to Red!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Movie was "High Ballin' " and stared BOTH Jerry Reed & Peter Fonda!!!

Iron Duke was Jerry's CB handle!!!

I also have the Paperback!!!!

Wish it was on DVD now!

I do have the copy I taped, but no working VHS!!

They were hauling a car carrier full of cars.

They made it under, but still ended up loosing the load.

Thank you Edsel Dan! Check your p.m.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There is no statute height of bridges off of the Interstate System. Even then it's 14', which only clears a semi by a half-foot. If you get a Motor Carriers Atlas it has a section in front that lists major roads that have clearances lower than the state's individual statute minimum (usually 14'). It's up to the vehicle operator to effectively preplan their route for clearance & weight limit issues (not to mention knowing the height of their vehicle). Every rental truck I've ever come across has the height marked on the front corners in reverse so the driver can read it in the mirror.

There are a system if warning lights and audible warnings at the Lincoln and Holland tunnels in NYC, but someone usually stuffs an overheight vehicle into the mouth once a week or so. The excuse, is usually "That's the way the GPS said to go". Of course the GPS is not a Motor Carrier GPS and therefore doesn't care about low clearance issues.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So many non-CDL rigs hitting that - they have a small excuse. A CDL driver hitting that? None.

The camper guys don't even realize they hit.

Actually Erik, one of the first vehicles shown was an 18 wheeler getting a crew cut.

One reason when I was an interstate driver I preferred pulling tankers. Typically 11' 6", but still needed to watch out for stuff like that.

Davenport. Iowa had the same problem. Elevated railway cutting thru center of town with several bridges at 11' 8" or shorter. City tried getting RR Communion to raise height and they refused, telling city they could pay for it themselves. City went to see the Feds at the DOT. RR Commission suddenly found money to raise bridges.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Did you ever hear Jeff Foxworthy's "Here's your sign" story about the truck driver hitting a low bridge? Goes something like this. Semi driver hits a low bridge and gets stuck. While he is waiting for assistance, Highway patrol rolls up and approaches the driver and says " Did ya gitter stuck? to which the truck driver replies "Nope, I was delivering this here bridge down the road and just ran out of gas!" Heeer's your sign"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...