Racecourse Rd Flemington shuts down once a fortnight due to trucks hitting rail bridges and tram wires

TRUCKS crashing into bridges and tram wires are causing constant lengthy delays for motorists and commuters on a busy arterial road, prompting transport lobbyists to call for road improvements.

Bridie Byrne and Ian Royall

2 min read

August 13, 2018 - 12:00AM

Moonee Valley Leader

North West

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TRUCKS crashing into bridges and tram wires are causing constant lengthy delays for motorists and commuters on a busy arterial road, prompting transport lobbyists to call for road improvements.

A warning gantry and laser beams are urgently needed along Racecourse Rd, the worst blackspot in Melbourne for trucks hitting rail bridges and tram wires, lobbyists warn.

Yarra Trams has recorded 12 major incidents since February near or under bridges at Newmarket station and Boundary Rd which are just 800m apart.

TRUCK BRINGS DOWN TRAM LINES ON RACECOURSE ROAD, FLEMINGTON

MELBOURNE BRIDGE MOST HIT BY TRUCKS REVEALED

LASER BEAMS, NEW SIGNS INSTALLED AT NOTORIOUS NAPIER ST BRIDGE

It’s believed many truckies are caught out by the two 3.7m bridges and, in an effort to turn back, they bring down the overhead tram wires.

In the latest incident a truck brought down tram and power lines during the morning peak-hour on July 30 causing a delay of four hours and 25 minutes.

Public Transport Users Association president Tony Morton said further safety measures were required such as those rolled-out at rail bridges at Montague St, South Melbourne, and Napier St, Footscray.

Height bollards on Monatgue St on the approach to the low bridge.

Gantries with reflective rubber paddles on either side of the Montague St bridge thump vehicles in warning if they are about to make a dangerous attempt at the underpass while laser detectors sense all over-height vehicles as they approach the Napier St bridge activating a system of red lights and warnings.

“Racecourse Rd now needs some of these treatments put in place as well,” Mr Morton said.

“The measures are all relatively low cost and are likely to have some results.”

A truck stuck under the bridge at Racecourse Rd.

Mr Morton said it was a serious safety issue because if a truck lost its container after hitting a bridge it could injure or kill a pedestrian.

He said bridge strikes also caused frustrating delays and congestion on the road network.

“It causes a huge inconvenience,” he said.

“It would have the same impact as closing a major motorway for several hours.

“When a rail bridge is struck it not only affects the trams but also knocks out the trains that run along the Craigieburn line, which carries thousands of people every day.”

The trail of damage has triggered a warning from VicRoads and Yarra Trams for truck drivers to lift their game.

VicRoads metro northwest regional director Vince Punaro said the authority had invested significantly in warnings, which were in place near all low-height bridges, but it was ultimately the responsibility of all drivers to be aware of their vehicle’s height and plan their journeys.

Yarra Trams spokesman Simon Murphy said its department would continue to work with road transport partners to raise awareness about the need to be vigilant around overhead tram wires.

The State Government introduced legislation last week that would see vehicles that exceed size limits crossing a tramway track regulated and operators required to obtain a permit.

2018 TRUCK CRASHES

Racecourse Rd at Newmarket

March 16 — wires hit

April 14 — wires hit

June 4 — wires hit

July 31 — wires hit

Racecourse Rd at Boundary Rd

February 6 — bridge hit

February 19 — wires hit

March 5 — wires hit

March 9 — bridge hit

May 14 — wires hit