By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
Westborough – It's a problem that has vexed town officials and commuters alike – 18-wheelers getting stuck under the CSX bridge on East Main Street (Route 30).
As he looked on at yet another 18-wheeler wedged under the bridge the morning of April 8, Police Chief Alan Gordon shook his head.
“This happens so much,” he said. “We'se probably had this happen 10 times over the past five years.”
Although there are signs leading up to the bridge and the structure itself is clearly marked “DANGER? – ????12″ 6″ – LOW BRIDGE,” many truckers still try to go under the bridge. In other cases, Gordon said, they do realize they are not going to fit and stop before they get stuck. That however, presents another problem, as police must be called to help back up traffic on the busy road so the truck in turn can then back up as well.
“The problem is many [global positioning systems],” Gordon said. “They send trucks this way and don's even mention the low bridge.”
He has tried, in vain, he said, to get companies to make adjustments.
The trucks don's normally cause much damage to the bridge, Gordon said. It is however, an expensive situation. Although there is usually only a minimal fine, the trucker's company must pay for a local police detail and for state police who are called to investigate such accidents. The company must also pay for a special tow service to get the truck moving again.
“It can end up being a $5,000-$10,000 hit,” Gordon noted,” depending on how bad it is.”