Bridges frequently hit by vehicles due to low clearance
This is a list of bridges and
overpasses whose
low clearance causes a notable amount of accidents, also known as
bridge strikes. Simply being struck by a vehicle is not criteria for inclusion on this list. To be included, the bridge should have a notable history of strikes.
Many countries establish minimum standards for the structure gauge of bridges. For example, the United States requires a height of 14 feet (4.27 m) for highway bridges.[1] Some vehicle standards are made to conform to these expectations. In much of the United States, the maximum height of a
semi truck, in the absence of an approved overheight permit, is 13 feet, 6 inches (4.12 m).[2] Some bridges were built before the adoption of these standards, and are undersized. Accidents involving these bridges have spurred mitigation efforts, such as installing sensors and signs that warn drivers.[3] These efforts do not entirely eliminate strikes, prompting some efforts to increase the clearance height.[4]
Viral videos of bridge strikes have generated substantial public interest.[5][6] One of the most famous examples of this is the
Norfolk Southern–Gregson Street Overpass, also known as the "11foot8" bridge, which was popularized by a YouTube channel.[7]
Covered bridge over the
Israel River that is open to automobile traffic. Most of the bridge structure is wooden, causing catastrophic damage when it is struck, necessitating closures for repairs.[9][10]
Rail bridge, part of the
Port Melbourne railway line. Strikes of the bridge are the subject of a website, frequent local media reports, and a song.[11] A bus driver was imprisoned for injuring passengers by driving into the bridge.[12] The bridge originally had a larger clearance height, but the road beneath had to be raised due to flooding.[13]
Nine bridges cross Storrow Drive, a
parkway operated by the Massachusetts
DCR. The clearance heights vary, but the limit most often cited is 10 feet, 6 inches.[14] Part of the attention comes from the seasonal nature of the bridge strikes, given that in the late summer many
college students crash moving trucks into the bridges when traveling to campuses.[15] Crashes and close calls often happen multiple days in a row. These accidents are called "Storrowing" or "Getting Storrowed".[16]
A rail bridge owned by Western Australia's
Public Transport Authority subject to substantial media coverage. At one point, signs marking the low clearance of the bridge fell onto a vehicle, damaging it.[17] The bridge was demolished in April 2023 and replaced by a new, taller rail bridge.[18]
Rail bridge owned by the
North Carolina Railroad, subject of a popular YouTube channel and website created in 2008.[19] The height was raised by 8 inches in 2019.[4]
Single-lane covered bridge over Buffalo Creek. The low wooden covering was added to protect the steel elements and limit truck traffic through the village. After being placed on the National Historic Register the bridge covering was damaged by an over-size truck which lead to the construction of a steel sub-structure.
Double-lane underpass near the historic
Conemaugh River. The Laurel Street Overpass has received significant coverage in the Pennsylvania media due to its high number of accidents. It is estimated that the overpass is hit by tractor-trailers "at least once a month."[20]
Bridges frequently hit by vehicles due to low clearance
This is a list of bridges and
overpasses whose
low clearance causes a notable amount of accidents, also known as
bridge strikes. Simply being struck by a vehicle is not criteria for inclusion on this list. To be included, the bridge should have a notable history of strikes.
Many countries establish minimum standards for the structure gauge of bridges. For example, the United States requires a height of 14 feet (4.27 m) for highway bridges.[1] Some vehicle standards are made to conform to these expectations. In much of the United States, the maximum height of a
semi truck, in the absence of an approved overheight permit, is 13 feet, 6 inches (4.12 m).[2] Some bridges were built before the adoption of these standards, and are undersized. Accidents involving these bridges have spurred mitigation efforts, such as installing sensors and signs that warn drivers.[3] These efforts do not entirely eliminate strikes, prompting some efforts to increase the clearance height.[4]
Viral videos of bridge strikes have generated substantial public interest.[5][6] One of the most famous examples of this is the
Norfolk Southern–Gregson Street Overpass, also known as the "11foot8" bridge, which was popularized by a YouTube channel.[7]
Covered bridge over the
Israel River that is open to automobile traffic. Most of the bridge structure is wooden, causing catastrophic damage when it is struck, necessitating closures for repairs.[9][10]
Rail bridge, part of the
Port Melbourne railway line. Strikes of the bridge are the subject of a website, frequent local media reports, and a song.[11] A bus driver was imprisoned for injuring passengers by driving into the bridge.[12] The bridge originally had a larger clearance height, but the road beneath had to be raised due to flooding.[13]
Nine bridges cross Storrow Drive, a
parkway operated by the Massachusetts
DCR. The clearance heights vary, but the limit most often cited is 10 feet, 6 inches.[14] Part of the attention comes from the seasonal nature of the bridge strikes, given that in the late summer many
college students crash moving trucks into the bridges when traveling to campuses.[15] Crashes and close calls often happen multiple days in a row. These accidents are called "Storrowing" or "Getting Storrowed".[16]
A rail bridge owned by Western Australia's
Public Transport Authority subject to substantial media coverage. At one point, signs marking the low clearance of the bridge fell onto a vehicle, damaging it.[17] The bridge was demolished in April 2023 and replaced by a new, taller rail bridge.[18]
Rail bridge owned by the
North Carolina Railroad, subject of a popular YouTube channel and website created in 2008.[19] The height was raised by 8 inches in 2019.[4]
Single-lane covered bridge over Buffalo Creek. The low wooden covering was added to protect the steel elements and limit truck traffic through the village. After being placed on the National Historic Register the bridge covering was damaged by an over-size truck which lead to the construction of a steel sub-structure.
Double-lane underpass near the historic
Conemaugh River. The Laurel Street Overpass has received significant coverage in the Pennsylvania media due to its high number of accidents. It is estimated that the overpass is hit by tractor-trailers "at least once a month."[20]
