Howdy,
This is a question for really experienced truckers. Like, guys from the 1950's-60's. Might still be a few that can answer, or at least know somebody who'd know.
Before the interstates, before bypass routes around small towns on the old U.S. highway system, there were a lot of really low clearance and low weight limit bridges. I am familiar with some, as there are still thousands of these obsolete structures around.
I know of one that intrigues me. Along old U.S. Highway 10, at Amherst Wisconsin, there still exists a 1900 era railroad overpass in town. With a current 11'-6" clearance as I recall. A modern two lane bypass was opened around to the south and west of town in 1968, so that solved the height problem (and that bypass has since has been replaced with a four lane divided freeway even farther west of town). Oh and BTW, the old 10 through Amherst was a 1925 era concrete highway with 8 foot wide lanes. Nice!
So.... what did truckers do back then? Were trailers only 10 or 11 feet high in those days? Did Rand McNally or whoever publish guides with bypass routes for these sort of situations? Or was it just trial and error? Obviously the main reason for the 1968 bypass being built, was to avoid that highway underpass.
BTW- that bridge still gets hit by trucks occasionally. Highly visible, well-signed, and it's in a 25 mph speed limit.
Anyway, thanks.
OLD Old timers, a question: Low bridges before interstates and such
Discussion in 'Road Stories' started by fixedtissue, Jun 25, 2015.
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I refuse to answer since he called me OLD OLD.....seems redundant doesn't it?
doc43204, MACK E-6, okiedokie and 1 other person Thank this. -
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