Laser beams, new signs installed at Footscray’s notorious Napier St Bridge

LASER beams and electric signs will be switched on at one of Melbourne’s most notorious bridges in a hi-tech push to end truck crashes at the dangerous spot.

LASER beams and electric signs will be switched on at Melbourne’s most notorious bridge on Wednesday in a hi-tech push to end truck crashes at the dangerous spot.

The Andrews Government has invested $1.2 million into a new warning system for the Napier St Bridge in Footscray, which has been hit by more than 70 oversized vehicles in the past five years.

The infamous bridge is a hotspot for overhead collisions, despite the presence of 28 warning signs and seven height detection devices around the crossing.

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The notorious Footscray bridge is on route popular with trucks.

Regular crashes often create major delays for motorists and passengers on the Werribee rail line and have sparked safety concerns from locals travelling along Napier St.

But traffic experts believe the warning system, launched today, will stop collisions by using laser technology to detect oversized vehicles quickly.

Traffic lights and electronic signs will then direct motorists to alternative routes and CCTV cameras will capture the details of drivers who ignore these warnings. Motorists can be fined $738 for failing to obey a low clearance sign.

Labor MP Luke Donnellan said bridge strikes put people at risk.

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Another victim of the Napier St rail bridge. Picture: Jason Edwards

“That’s why we’ve invested in this Victorian-first technology to stop drivers before they hit the bridge and divert them on to an alternate route,” Mr Donnellan said.

“We’re investing in the infrastructure our community needs to create safe suburbs and take trucks off local roads — the West Gate Tunnel, Port Rail Shuttle project and this hi-tech solution to prevent bridge strikes.”

VicRoads metro north west director Vince Punaro said bridge strikes by oversized trucks had been a problem in the region for years. “Every time an oversized vehicle strikes this bridge, it causes major delays on the road and rail networks because trains have to stop while the bridge is inspected for damage,” he said.

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