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roy
Roy Kim
San Diego, California, United States

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November 15, 2005

question

On the highways, there will often be signs a few hundred feet in front of an overhanging bridge with the distance (something like 14'8"). I'm assuming this is so trucks that are taller than that size don't try to cram underneath the bridge.

But there's never enough space from the sign to the bridge for a truck going 60mph to stop. So what does this sign really do? Is it just like a "Oh crap, I'm screwed" type of thing? And if the truck DOES stop, what does it do?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Posted by roy on November 15, 2005 at 09:15 PM in Ramblings | 4 Comments

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PubertY2K
Comment posted on November 16th, 2005 at 12:52 PM
I've thought about the exact same question. Great minds think alike.

I hope your travels are treating you well.
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ree
Comment posted on November 16th, 2005 at 12:20 PM
There aren't signs before that, directing truckers to take an alternate route? That's how it's handled in my part of South Dakota -- stretches of road with overpasses are off-limits to trucks. They have to take an alternate route around the overpass, which eventually merges back into the main highway if there aren't more obstructions ahead.

If you're really curious, I can ask my dad about it. He's a trucker so he must know. :-)
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boogiesan
Comment posted on November 16th, 2005 at 11:16 AM
It is amazing how many trucks have been stuck under those in our city alone. They have to let the air out of the tires to lower the truck enough to proceed, then re-inflate them at the next station. Sometimes they do damage to the overpass as well as their trucks. They are supposed to have a map for their route with all the overpass height info so they know what routes to take. Some think they can "squeeze" through. :-)
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Nighthawk
Comment posted on November 16th, 2005 at 07:58 AM
I had a relative in New Jersey that lost his job because he failed to note that. Opened a 45' container like a sardine can.

I use to work at a freight forwarder. Trucking companies scout the transit lanes and note all the bridge heights before even driving a truck through it. So when the truck is loaded they already know the route they have to take.

Either that or the signs are so that the truck driver slams on the brakes and hopefully loses a couple of inches on the pavement.
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