Ononadaga Lake Parkway commerical van

[Salty]

Over the past 20+ years over 50 trucks have struck the low railroad bridge (10' 9") on St Rt 370 just North of Syracuse.
Up until Sep 10, 2010 no injures have ever been reported - only severe damage to trucks.

On Sep 11, 2010; a mega bus hit the bridge and killed four passengers. At this time the State of NY decided to take appropriate action.

The final decision was that a laser would be built on both sides of the bridge to detect any trucks too big. The police would be notified - to assist the truck in turning around ( and I suppose to be given a ticket).
The other action to be taken would be that all commercial vehicles would be banned from the parkway.

Here is the situation - vehicles such as pickups ( usually no more that 7 ft tall) are licensed as "commercial" vehicles - even if used only for non-commercial business.

Our local State rep- one of the ranking members of the Senate, John DeFranicaso - appealed to the Dep of Trans to revise their ruling.

Thoughts?

 

[Don]

If it's not possible to raise the bridge, then lower the road under the bridge?

 

[Salty]

If it's not possible to raise the bridge, then lower the road under the bridge?

No - not at all - the lake is adjacent to the bridge and digging any lower would cause the road to sink.

 

[padredurand]

Lasers? Really? What we have here is a failure to communicate. The parkway has a million signs that says "Hey, Buddy. The bridge is 10' 9". Do the math before proceeding." 50 times some idiots looked at the signs and then looked at the decal on their rig that says Clearance 12' 0" and concludes that he (or she) has PLENTY of room. You just can't fix stupid. Or in this case you can try to fix stupid by elevating stupidity to new levels.

I have a suggestion. Erect a sign over the road leading to the Parkway. Hang it so it's 10' 9" over the roadway. Painted on the sign would be the simple warning "If you hit this sign you will hit the bridge. Go around."

Low bridges are not a new fixture on New Yorks by-ways. Back when Salty was a kid folks used to sing

Low bridge ev'ry body down,
Low bridge for we're comin to a town,
And you always know your neighbor,
You'll always know your pal,
If you've ever navigated on the Erie canal

 

[Salty]

Low bridges are not a new fixture on New Yorks by-ways. Back when Salty was a kid folks used to sing

Low bridge ev'ry body down,
Low bridge for we're comin to a town,
And you always know your neighbor,
You'll always know your pal,
If you've ever navigated on the Erie canal

Padre, dont be so modest - if if wasnt for your help, I never would have leaned that song :applause:
In fact here is Padre singing the song!


The bus driver is now up on charges for criminally negligent homicide



Here are some other stories on the crash and the bridge

Salty

PS - Padre - I also posted this "over yonder"