Above: The low clearance bridge across River Street takes another victim. Fortunately, all of them have been inanimate ones. (image edited from photo by John Kendall)
In a couple of weeks, Boston area media are sure to run the annual stories warning drivers about the Storrowing that often happens as college students prepare to move-in to dorms and apartments over Labor Day weekend.
Last night, a truck driver got an early start in Southborough at the bridge near the commuter rail station that is a frequent target.
If you aren’t familiar with the term, Storrowing refers to trucks smashing into, and often getting stuck in, a low clearance bridge. (It happens all around our state, but gets more attention when it causes major traffic issues on Storrow Drive.)
This week, I heard again from our resident expert on trucks crashing into the bridge that crosses River Street.
John Kendall, who lives right by the frequently hit bridge, has long advocated for more visible warning signage. As he has long warned, the danger is more than damage to the truck. Each time the bridge is crashed into, the structural integrity of the commuter rail’s crossing. He had long advocated for better signage.
Last August, he updated that flashing signs had been installed at the bridge.
Six weeks later, he shared photos with me after a driver hauling a doomed shed missed the flashing warning:
Last night, he documented another truck crash. This one took place around 9:00 pm on Tuesday evening:
His photos show that the truck had the height limit printed to be visible in side view mirror.
Unfortunately, there may be no solution that will ensure every driver realizes the danger in time. (As I’ve previously shared, it looks like even the massive banner signs placed directly on a bridge in Westborough didn’t prevent crashes there.)
