Bridge Height

And just cuz theres no sign doesnt mean it's 14 ft clearance. I happened to see a 13'3 on the ground flat in Louiseville. Almost missed it. And the low bridge ahead that might have topped me.

 

So then hypothetically speaking... if say I'm 14' tall (actually measured with tape) and get stuck under a bridge that has signage that states it is 14' 4" high clearance on a straight flat level roadway... Would that be considered my fault and therefore a preventable incident??? Just curious if the state would be liable for such an incident since the signage is obviously incorrect.

 

guess some of you never been in old kansas city. that air bag switch helps out.

 

And god help you if you attempt to ignore the laser guarded old I-895 Harbor Tunnel in Baltimore near the Fort McHenry Tunnel (The old 50's era Harbor Tunnel on 895 to be specific not the newer built in the 90's I-95 tunnel) that says you get off at the next exit with your truck and you fail to do so showing up at the toll barrier with a over-height truck. They will be all over you.

With that said Im not sure if I want to address in a serious professional manner a question that defeats itself. How can I take a 14 foot truck and trailer under a 14 foot marked bridge. Come on. Is your math that weak?

I treat all bridges with caution. There are certain bridges in my life time that have my respect and certain others that required local police help to resolve before it became a damage accident mess.

Nothing is a sure bet.

I remember yet another bridge between Mechanicsburg and US 15 by way of two seperate small two lane state routes. It was marked 13.6 Im 13.5 and turned onto that road to access under there and get into Mechanicsburg. Local policeman sitting on corner stopped me.

Said I wont fit.

I asked him pointing at the yellow 13.6 sign and said to him, Officer do you know what 13.6 means? He rolled his eyes and said yes that's why I stopped you. I then said to him Im 13.5 at the front corner of my trailer above the reefer currently. One inch. It will fit. Why did you stop me.

"Because you wont fit."

Ok let's start over. Do you know what that 13.6 sign is Officer. Rolls eyes again.

Repeats several times. Then a period of silence as I debate if I am dealing with a very special person in some way while he considered my own mental status as well.

When we deal with the question somewhat diplomatically being nice because HE IS a Officer after all over two hours round and round, it was finally explained to me that bridge was paved under by PENNDOT and its currently 13.0 I would have hurt myself or worse going through there fat dumb and happy at 60 downgrade.

it only took two memorable hours of very difficult basic questioning while trying our best to be civil about this. He did get something out of it. Two things actually. First a great big heartfelt gratitude for saving my life, my truck and so on. That put a smile on his face. Maybe I am the difficult one.

Second a ticket for failure to keep a current PA sticker on the side of that tractor. There was a sun faded glue copy left behind after the original actual sticker fell off. So the town got a little something out of it. (It wont be the first time they got something out of me however...)

Take the good with the bad.

Bridges. Always be careful with them. Always always always.

 

I asked that question and the replies said its a grey area there. I argued if there is no posted height (treat as 14) or an incorrect sign, posted by some punk kids or whatever, and I am responsible for topping it at that bridge, its like saying I am responsible for criminal behavior.

 

If you close your eyes you get an extra inch and-a-half of clearance.

 

i close my eyes every night and dont see the 1 1/2 extra.

 

So basically, the signs don't matter and every bridge is a gamble. Got it!

 

Yes, it would be a preventable and likely even DOT recordable (if your truck is towed from the scene). However, if you fight it and prove in court that the overpass was mis-marked and you WOULD HAVE cleared it with room to spare IF the sign was correct, then you might avoid having to pay for damage done to the structure of the bridge. You're still on the hook for the damage to your own truck, though...state ain't gonna reimburse you for that. If you're a company hand, you're likely going to be fired.