Crashcourse Rd, Flemington, revealed as city’s blackspot for trucks bringing down tram wires

MOVE over Montague Bridge, Melbourne has a new blackspot for trucks hitting bridges. Once a fortnight this year, crashes have caused lengthy delays for motorists and tram passengers on this busy arterial road.

RACECOURSE Rd in Flemington has become Melbourne’s worst black spot for high trucks hitting rail bridges and bringing down overhead tram lines.

Once a fortnight this year, truck crashes have caused lengthy delays for motorists and tram passengers on the busy arterial road.

HEAVY VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS SOAR

MELBOURNE IS STILL CAR CITY

RUBBISH TRUCK DRIVERS

Yarra Trams has recorded 11 major incidents since February near or under bridges at Newmarket station and Boundary Rd just 800m apart.

In the latest incident, on June 13, a truck with a high load hit a rail bridge and ripped down wires causing hours of delays while crews repaired the damage.

A truck got entangled in the tram lines on Racecourse Rd, Flemington. Picture: Jay Town.

Overhead tram lines down at Newmarket bridge on Racecourse Rd, Flemington. Picture: Supplied

It’s believed many truckies are caught out by the 3.7m bridges and, in their efforts to turn back, then take out the wires.

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

Damn. And what happens next!? RT @SAHuddo: Not as high profile as Montague street, but racecourse road rail bridge gets a fair run!! This B-double in a lot of trouble! @mmmhotbreakfast @rosewal @RossAndJohn pic.twitter.com/qFhYU5xkvn

— Rosemary Walton (@rosewal) July 4, 2018

VicRoads’ metro northwest acting regional director Fatima Mohamed said bridge strikes were dangerous, resulting in frustrating delays and congestion on the road network.

“VicRoads has invested significantly in warnings which are in place near all low-height bridges to warn drivers, but it is ultimately the responsibility of all drivers to be aware of their vehicle’s height and plan their journeys accordingly,’’ Ms Mohamed said.

Truck stuck under the rail bridge near Boundary Rd.

Yarra Trams spokesman Simon Murphy said the company shared commuters’ frustration at the delays.

RACECOURSE RD at Bellair St (Kensington) - Truck has hit overhead tram lines. All outbound lanes closed. Avoid the area. More info: https://t.co/GEIuLvDDat #victraffic pic.twitter.com/qBVvuLHZl6

— VicTraffic (@VicTraffic) March 16, 2018

“Yarra Trams continues to work with our road transport partners to raise awareness about the need to be vigilant around overhead tram wires.”

Victoria Transport Association spokesman Peter Anderson said improved signage would help drivers of high vehicles to avoid the area.

“The cheapest form of traffic management is signs,’’ Mr Anderson said.

The scene at that Racecourse Rd prang, where a truck hit this bridge and brought down lines.

No traffic getting through there for a while. pic.twitter.com/4z7YKLMTif

— 3AW Breakfast (@RossAndJohn) October 4, 2017

“Trucks have been getting bigger and the infrastructure hasn’t. It’s a problem we have right around Melbourne and it’s one of the things were trying to address.’’

VicRoads said that 26 warning signs were installed around Racecourse Rd near the Newmarket and Boundary Rd bridges.

One of the longest traffic delays was on May 8 when a high load tangled with overhead wires on Victoria Parade, East Melbourne, causing a delay of almost 28 hours.

Another day... another jerk driver in a rental truck... when will they learn...? https://t.co/T6nMA6U5OK

— Montague St Bridge (@MontagueStBridg) February 5, 2018

Trucks have struck overhead rail bridges this year at Napier St, Footscray, four times and Merri Parade, Northcote, five.

The infamous Montague St bridge has been hit five times, although the number is way down on 2016 when it was struck 18 times.

Warning gantry paddles were installed to alert drivers to the crash-prone, 3m bridge.

#VICTRAFFIC Bedlam on Racecourse Rd. A truck goes BANG and smashes into the Newmarket Station bridge. No57 trams can’t get through pic.twitter.com/EnlfvlNZHH

— Mark Davidson (@markjdavidson) November 28, 2017

TRAIL OF DESTRUCTION

Racecourse Rd at Newmarket

March 16 — overhead hit

April 14 — overhead hit

June 4 — overhead hit

Racecourse Rd at Boundary Road

February 6 — bridge hit

February 19 — overhead hit

March 5 — overhead hit

March 9 — bridge hit

May 14 — overhead hit

May 22 — bridge and overhead hit

June 5 — bridge and overhead hit

June 13 — bridge and overhead hit

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@IanRoyall