KAREN writes:
Three crashes in one week – when is someone going to take some positive action to stop this?
As a resident of Glen Marais, I am so fed-up of trucks getting stuck under the Elgin Road bridge near Birchleigh Station. How many times have I had to wait behind a truck the was too high to go under the bridge and got stuck.
It is unbelievable that nothing effective has been done to stop this from happening. There is a sign on the top side which is totally ineffective and the way I drive nothing at the lower side by the traffic circle.
Also read:
• Yet another truck ‘ploughs’ into Elgin Road bridge: avoid this afternoon
• Strong winds bring down tree at Elgin Road subway -chaos
Long ago there were amber flashing lights, these have long gone. The delays are intolerable when a truck gets stuck. I have been late for work so many times my boss now knows the story. The wasted petrol and lost time are amazing.
Why don’t they do something positive to stop this total ridiculousness? I am not even an engineer but could come up with so many ideas to reduce this problem and none of them at a huge expense.
The insurance companies and company truck owners that have experienced damage there must be shaking their heads in disgust as the damage must run into thousands of rands.
What does it take to get this thing fixed? Electric signs, electric sensors, flashing lights, better warnings?
I am seriously fed-up with you, Ekurhuleni, for your total ineffectiveness. Prove me wrong!
Themba Gadebe, spokesperson for the metro, replies:
The roads and storm water department has in the past considered various alternatives in dealing with the challenge of trucks getting stuck under the bridge.
These mechanisms included an overhead structure with chains and an infra-red warning and detection system activating warning lights, etc.
The latest approach was to improve signage along the approaches to the bridges.
The reality of all these systems were that some trucks still continued to get stuck under the bridge. The system currently implemented is, however, more conventional and compliant to the regulations and the South African Road Traffic Signs Manual.
This system would be maintained. Media can also assist in increasing the awareness of this height limitation (ie the bridges with limited clearance) in the road system by reporting when vehicles get stuck in them.
Additional to the above the following additional comments are offered:
This department is currently in liaison with PRASA (the rail authority) and is considering improved signage. Unfortunately, even with improved signage there is no guarantee that this will deter truck drivers with trucks exceeding the height limitation, from using Elgin Road.
The department has requested funding in the 2018/19 and 2019/20 financial years for implementing further mechanisms in order to deter truck drivers with trucks exceeding the height limitation from entering the road.
The South African Road Traffic Signs Manual does not recognise overhead structures to control height limitations. This department is currently in liaison with the National Department of Transport on this matter.
