List of bridges known for strikes

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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.

Video of a bridge strike at the famous 11foot8 bridge in Durham, North Carolina.

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 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]

Bridges

The bridges are listed in no particular order.

NameOpenedClearance HeightLocationInformation
Concord Covered Bridge 18722.1 m (7 ft) Smyrna, Georgia, U.S. Bridge over Nickajack Creek. It is approximately 13 feet tall inside, however the entrance is only 7 feet. [8]
Mechanic Street Bridge18622.4 m (8 ft) Lancaster, New Hampshire, U.S. 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]
Onondaga Lake Parkway Bridge 18713.28 m (10 ft 9 in) Syracuse, New York, U.S.Railroad bridge that has been hit more than any other bridge in the US.
Montague Street Bridge 19143.0 m (9 ft 10 in) South Melbourne, Victoria, AustraliaRail 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]
Storrow Drive Overpasses 19513.20 m (10 ft 6 in) Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.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]
Bayswater Bridge 19103.8 m (12 ft 6 in) Perth, Western Australia, AustraliaA 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]
Independence Avenue Bridge 19123.66 m (12 ft 0 in) Kansas City, Missouri, United StatesRail bridge owned by the Kansas City Terminal Railway. The bridge has a fan page on Facebook with more than 20,000 followers and multiple accounts on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. [19]
Norfolk Southern-Gregson Street Overpass 19403.76 m (12 ft 4 in)


Before 2019: 3.56 m (11 ft 8 in)

 Durham, North Carolina, U.S.Rail bridge owned by the North Carolina Railroad, subject of a popular YouTube channel and website created in 2008. [20] The height was raised by 8 inches in 2019. [4]
Robert Parker Coffin Bridge 19062.59 m (8 ft 6 in) Long Grove, Illinois, U.S.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.
Laurel Avenue Overpass 19033.56 m (11 ft 8 in) Johnstown, Pennsylvania, U.S.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." [21]
Casho Mill Road underpass2.62 m (8 ft 7 in) Newark, Delaware, U.S.AKA "Smasho Mill Bridge" or "Crasho Mill Bridge." Known for an unusual number of warning devices. [22] 39°40′34″N75°46′26″W / 39.676°N 75.774°W / 39.676; -75.774
West Central Avenue underpass3.84 m (12 ft 7 in) Delaware, Ohio, U.S.One of many underpasses known as a "can opener". Sensor-triggered signage installed in 2018. [23] 40°18′14″N83°04′59″W / 40.304°N 83.083°W / 40.304; -83.083
North Washington Street underpass3.4 m (11 ft) Tiffin, Ohio, U.S.One of many underpasses known as a "can opener". [24] 41°07′08″N83°10′37″W / 41.119°N 83.177°W / 41.119; -83.177
Third Street underpass3.56 m (11 ft 8 in) Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.One of many underpasses known as a "can opener". Southern of two adjacent overpasses. [25] 38°12′40″N85°45′47″W / 38.211°N 85.763°W / 38.211; -85.763
Carters Creek Pike Railroad Bridge3.30 m (10 ft 10 in) Columbia, Tennessee, U.S.Known as the "Carters Creek Can Opener". [26] 35°40′41″N87°00′43″W / 35.678°N 87.012°W / 35.678; -87.012
East Maine Street bridge3.45 m (11 ft 4 in) Enid, Oklahoma, U.S.One of many underpasses known as a "can opener". Bridge is painted with shark teeth, a graphic nicknamed "the Bridge Shark", to discourage overheight trucks. [27] [28] [29] 36°23′42″N97°52′34″W / 36.395°N 97.876°W / 36.395; -97.876
Dr. Mendiguichía Carriche Avenue underpass2.84 m (9 ft 4 in) Leganés, SpainKnown as puente tragacamiones, the "truck-swallowing bridge", there is a local Facebook page dedicated to it. [30] 40°19′52″N3°46′12″W / 40.331°N 3.770°W / 40.331; -3.770
Takanawabashi Kadokyoshita Kudo 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) Minato, Tokyo, JapanFormer underpass going under the JR lines that was infamous among taxi drivers as the "top sign killer". Closed down in 2020 due to redevelopment. [31] [32]
Akihabara Station underpass2.8 m (9 ft 2 in) Akihabara, Chiyoda, Tokyo, JapanUnderpass located just north of the JR Akihabara Station where at least 20 accidents involving overheight vehicles were reported in the years between 2018 and 2022. [33]
Needles Underpass2.4 m (8 ft) Needles, California, U.S.Owned by BNSF Railway, [34] this single lane underpass on K Street was part of early U.S. Route 66 [ citation needed ] and has murals painted every year by the Needles High School incoming senior class. [35] In June 2023 barriers were erected to protect the bridge from damage from frequent vehicle impacts. [34] The north side of the underpass impacts are documented and livestreamed on the internet. [34] 34°50′36″N114°36′38″W / 34.8432°N 114.6105°W / 34.8432; -114.6105
Main Street underpass at Metuchen Station 18883.40 m (11 ft 2 in) Metuchen, New Jersey, U.S.Owned by Amtrak [36] [37] and subject of a Facebook page. [38] There were 55 over-height collisions recorded during the period of 2012 to 2016. [39] A number of over-height safety improvements were proposed in 2017 [40] and 2020. [41]
The Ripper2.64 m (8 ft 8 in) Council Bluffs, Iowa, U.S.Crossing Big Lake Road, it is notorious for claiming the roofs of trucks for decades, with 40 vehicles getting stuck or crashing into it since 2020. There is a Facebook fan page to it called: The Council Bluffs Ripper "The Beast Must Be Fed"[ citation needed ]
Davenport Truck Eating Bridge3.56 m (11 ft 8 in) Davenport, Iowa, U.S. Quad Cities Located at N. Harrison (U.S. Route 61 Business) and W. 5th St., one block from Davenport City Hall, this old rail bridge eats trucks on a regular basis.[ citation needed ]
North Grant Ave Bridge3.51 m (11 ft 6 in) (lowest part) Springfield, Missouri, U.S.Bridge has three lanes, the center is lowest, outer lanes are 4.11 m (13 ft 6 in) but warning signs are minimal and confusing.[ citation needed ] 37°13′48″N93°17′53″W / 37.2300249°N 93.2980447°W / 37.2300249; -93.2980447
Trampe Avenue underpass3.51 m (11 ft 6 in) Spanish Lake, Missouri, U.S.Owned by BNSF. [42]

References

  1. ↑ American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (1973). AASHTO: Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges.
  2. ↑ "Trucking Legal Height Limits Map". Heavy Haul Trucking. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Truck Slams Into Durham's 'Can Opener' Bridge Despite New Warning System". February 13, 2017. Archived from the original on February 13, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  4. 1 2 "Durham's infamous 'can opener' bridge to be raised | CBS 17". November 1, 2019. Archived from the original on November 1, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  5. ↑ "A little off the top: Durham's "Canopener Bridge" makes the front page of The Wall Street Journal | News | Indy Week". January 9, 2016. Archived from the original on January 9, 2016. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Storrowed". Universal Hub. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  7. ↑ "The Duke Employee Behind the 'Can Opener Bridge' Cam | Duke Today". November 10, 2021. Archived from the original on November 10, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  8. ↑ "New warning system installed at covered bridge that keeps getting hit by cars". WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta. June 20, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  9. ↑ "People Won't Stop Smashing Into Lancaster, NH's Adorable Covered Bridge". Jalopnik. July 13, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  10. ↑ "MECHANIC STREET BRIDGE – New Hampshire Covered Bridges". www.nh.gov. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  11. ↑ "After 8 Months Dormant, The Awful Montague Street Bridge Has Awoken To Feed". PEDESTRIAN.TV. February 5, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  12. ↑ Cooper, Adam (October 9, 2018). "Bus driver failed to see warnings before hitting Montague Street bridge, court told". The Age. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Flood prevention at Montague". The Herald (Melbourne). August 9, 1934. p. 12. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  14. ↑ "How to Get to the Esplanade from Boston". BostonZest. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  15. ↑ Helper, Adam (March 16, 2021). "DON'T GET STORROWED / The Truck Height Limit On Storrow Drive In Boston | AdamHelper" . Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  16. ↑ "A look inside a Boston phenomenon: Storrowing". www.boston.com. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  17. ↑ "The Bayswater Bridge fights back: Car left wrecked after sign falls on roof". WAtoday. May 31, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  18. ↑ "Countdown on until we farewell the infamous Bayswater Bridge". METRONET. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  19. ↑ "FAQ". KCUR. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  20. ↑ "FAQ". 11 FOOT 8. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  21. ↑ Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: A Bridge Too Low; Truck Hits Overpass In West End, February 19, 2013
  22. ↑ Griffin, Krys'tal (July 14, 2022). "Those aren't wrecking balls. See the new effort to prevent crashes at Newark underpass". The News Journal . Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  23. ↑ Keeran, Joshua (July 24, 2021). "'Can Opener' incidents down". The Delaware Gazette . Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  24. ↑ Geftos, Tony (October 2, 2023). "Train bridge in Tiffin dubbed 'The Can Opener'". WTVG-TV . Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  25. ↑ Staff (December 18, 2023). "Louisville's 3rd Street 'can opener' claims another semitruck". WDRB-TV . Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  26. ↑ Davis, Chris (July 14, 2021). "The 'Carters Creek Can Opener' bridge continues to destroy trucks in Columbia". WTVF-TV . Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  27. ↑ Mullin, Jeff (June 10, 2014). "Don't cross your bridges until they hatch" . Enid News & Eagle . Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  28. ↑ Rains, Cass (April 25, 2017). "UPDATED: Truck strikes bridge on East Maine Tuesday morning" . Enid News & Eagle. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  29. ↑ Miller, Jessica (January 8, 2018). "City commission mulls preventing bridge accidents" . Enid News & Eagle. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  30. ↑ Susanna, Jaime (November 12, 2023). "El puente 'tragacamiones' de Leganés que los destroza cada dos por tres: no tiene ni cadenas para medir la altura" (in Spanish). El Español . Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  31. ↑ "高さ制限は1.5m「高輪橋架道橋下区道」品川再開発でどうなる？（写真24枚）". 乗りものニュース (in Japanese). July 31, 2018. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
  32. ↑ 港区 (December 3, 2024). "高輪橋架道橋下区道の車両通行止めについて". 港区 (in Japanese). Retrieved December 31, 2024.
  33. ↑ Hiruma, Takashi (October 21, 2022). "4年間で事故20件！ 秋葉原駅近くの「名物ガード」はなぜ対策がなされていないのか". Merkmal（メルクマール） (in Japanese). Retrieved December 31, 2024.
  34. 1 2 3 Henderson, Jeni (September 22, 2024). "A big hit: Needles Underpass Facebook page becomes local resource". Needles Desert Star . Retrieved August 2, 2025.
  35. ↑ McMillen, Bill (June 7, 2024). "Leaving their mark: Needles High School juniors continue underpass painting tradition". Mohave Valley Daily News . Retrieved August 2, 2025.
  36. ↑ Boro explores banning trucks on Main Street, Brainy Boro Blog, Mar. 15, 2016[ self-published source ]
  37. ↑ Boro girds for fight on Main St. truck ban, Brainy Boro Blog, Feb. 23, 2017[ self-published source ]
  38. ↑ "Metuchen's Truck Eating Bridge". Weird NJ . No. 61. October 2023.
  39. ↑ Intersections Improvements Along Main Street (CR 531) from Talmadge Avenue to Brunswick Avenue, North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, Oct. 7, 2020
  40. ↑ Safety improvements along Main Street (CR 531) from Talmadge Avenue to Brunswick Avenue in the Borough of Metuchen
  41. ↑ Public Meeting: Metuchen Safety Improvements
  42. ↑ Kinsaul, Russell (August 5, 2025). "Improvements planned for low clearance bridge repeatedly struck by trucks". KMOV . Retrieved August 6, 2025.
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