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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 infamous 11-foot-8 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 often 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

[edit]

The bridges are listed in no particular order.

Name Opened Clearance Height Location Information Coordinates
Concord Covered Bridge 1872 2.13 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] 33°50′56″N 84°33′29″W / 33.849°N 84.558°W / 33.849; -84.558
Mechanic Street Bridge 1862 2.44 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] 44°29′13″N 71°33′50″W / 44.487°N 71.564°W / 44.487; -71.564
Onondaga Lake Parkway Bridge 1871 3.28 m (10 ft 9 in) Syracuse, New York, U.S. Railroad bridge that has been hit more than any other bridge in the US. 43°05′28″N 76°11′38″W / 43.091°N 76.194°W / 43.091; -76.194
Park Street underpass 3.71 m (12 ft 2 in) Syracuse, New York, U.S. Frequently-struck underpass under the CSX Mohawk Subdivision near downtown. Warning devices are to be installed by the end of 2026.[11] It is close to the Onondaga Lake Parkway Bridge and on the same numbered route (NY 370). 43°04′30″N 76°10′19″W / 43.075°N 76.172°W / 43.075; -76.172
Montague Street Bridge 1914 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Rail 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.[12] A bus driver was imprisoned for injuring passengers by driving into the bridge.[13] The bridge originally had a larger clearance height, but the road beneath had to be raised due to flooding.[14] 37°49′48″S 144°56′56″E / 37.830°S 144.949°E / -37.830; 144.949
Storrow Drive Overpasses 1951 3.20 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.[15] 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.[16] Crashes and close calls often happen multiple days in a row. These accidents are called "Storrowing" or "Getting Storrowed".[17]
Bayswater Bridge 1910 3.8 m (12 ft 6 in) Perth, Western Australia, Australia A 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.[18] The bridge was demolished in April 2023 and replaced by a new, taller rail bridge.[19] 31°55′05″S 115°54′40″E / 31.918°S 115.911°E / -31.918; 115.911
Independence Avenue Bridge 1912 3.66 m (12 ft 0 in) Kansas City, Missouri, United States Rail 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.[20] 39°06′18″N 94°30′47″W / 39.105°N 94.513°W / 39.105; -94.513
Norfolk Southern-Gregson Street Overpass 1940 3.76 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.[21] The height was raised by 8 inches in 2019.[4] 35°59′56″N 78°54′36″W / 35.999°N 78.910°W / 35.999; -78.910
N. Carolina Street underpass 2.29 m (7 ft 6 in) Goldsboro, North Carolina, U.S. Accidents occurred at the bridge nine times between 2022 and April 2026.[22] 35°23′24″N 78°00′04″W / 35.390°N 78.001°W / 35.390; -78.001
Robert Parker Coffin Bridge 1906 2.59 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. 42°10′41″N 88°00′00″W / 42.178°N 88°W / 42.178; -88
Laurel Avenue overpass 1903 3.56 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."[23] 40°20′56″N 78°56′35″W / 40.349°N 78.943°W / 40.349; -78.943
Casho Mill Road underpass 2.62 m (8 ft 7 in) Newark, Delaware, U.S. AKA "Smasho Mill Bridge" or "Crasho Mill Bridge."[citation needed] Known for an unusual number of warning devices.[24] 39°40′34″N 75°46′26″W / 39.676°N 75.774°W / 39.676; -75.774
Chapel Street Railroad Bridge 3.7 m (12 ft) Newark, Delaware, U.S. Warning devices are influenced by those at the nearby Casho Mill Road underpass.[25] 39°41′13″N 75°44′46″W / 39.687°N 75.746°W / 39.687; -75.746
West Central Avenue underpass (SR 37) 3.84 m (12 ft 7 in) Delaware, Ohio, U.S. One of many underpasses known as a "can opener". Sensor-triggered signage installed in 2018.[26] 40°18′14″N 83°04′59″W / 40.304°N 83.083°W / 40.304; -83.083
North Washington Street underpass (SR 231) 3.35 m (11 ft) Tiffin, Ohio, U.S. One of many underpasses known as a "can opener".[27] 41°07′08″N 83°10′37″W / 41.119°N 83.177°W / 41.119; -83.177
Karl Brown Way underpass 2 m (8 ft) Loveland, Ohio, U.S. A laser system activates flashing lights and a siren.[28] 39°16′01″N 84°15′36″W / 39.267°N 84.260°W / 39.267; -84.260
Linden Avenue underpass 2.92 m (9 ft 7 in)
(main road)
3.78 m (12 ft 5 in)
(northbound bypass)		 Zanesville, Ohio, U.S. Warning devices were installed in 2022 after it had been hit 126 times dating back to 2020, with a camera and a YouTube channel installed in 2026.[29][30] 39°56′31″N 82°00′50″W / 39.942°N 82.014°W / 39.942; -82.014
Third Street underpass (Alt. US 60/KY 1020) 3.56 m (11 ft 8 in) Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. One of many underpasses known as a "can opener". Southern of two adjacent overpasses.[31] 38°12′40″N 85°45′47″W / 38.211°N 85.763°W / 38.211; -85.763
Carters Creek Pike Railroad Bridge (SR 246) 3.30 m (10 ft 10 in) Columbia, Tennessee, U.S. Known as the "Carters Creek Can Opener".[32] 35°40′41″N 87°00′43″W / 35.678°N 87.012°W / 35.678; -87.012
East Maine Street bridge 3.45 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.[33][34][35] 36°23′42″N 97°52′34″W / 36.395°N 97.876°W / 36.395; -97.876
Dr. Mendiguichía Carriche Avenue underpass 2.84 m (9 ft 4 in) Leganés, Spain Known as puente tragacamiones, the "truck-swallowing bridge", there is a local Facebook page dedicated to it.[36] 40°19′52″N 3°46′12″W / 40.331°N 3.770°W / 40.331; -3.770
Takanawabashi Kadokyoshita Kudo [ja] 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) Minato, Tokyo, Japan Former underpass going under the JR lines that was infamous among taxi drivers as the "top sign killer". Closed down in 2020 due to redevelopment.[37][38]
Akihabara Station underpass 2.8 m (9 ft 2 in) Akihabara, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan Underpass 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.[39]
Needles Underpass 2.44 m (8 ft) Needles, California, U.S. Owned by BNSF Railway,[40] 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.[41] In June 2023 barriers were erected to protect the bridge from damage from frequent vehicle impacts.[40] The north side of the underpass impacts are documented and livestreamed on the internet.[40] 34°50′35″N 114°36′40″W / 34.843°N 114.611°W / 34.843; -114.611
B Street underpass (SR 70) 4.22 m (13 ft 10 in) Marysville, California, U.S. One of many underpasses known as a "can opener". As of 2026 a project is underway to increase the clearance to 5.33 m (17 ft 6 in).[42] 39°09′14″N 121°35′17″W / 39.154°N 121.588°W / 39.154; -121.588
Main Street underpass at Metuchen Station (CR 531) 1888 3.40 m (11 ft 2 in) Metuchen, New Jersey, U.S. Owned by Amtrak[43][44] and subject of a Facebook page.[45] There were 55 over-height collisions recorded during the period of 2012 to 2016.[46] A number of over-height safety improvements were proposed in 2017[47] and 2020.[48] 40°32′28″N 74°21′40″W / 40.541°N 74.361°W / 40.541; -74.361
The Ripper 2.64 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"[49] 41°17′06″N 95°51′50″W / 41.285°N 95.864°W / 41.285; -95.864
Davenport Truck Eating Bridge (Bus. US 61) 3.56 m (11 ft 8 in) Davenport, Iowa, U.S. Quad Cities Located at N. Harrison and W. 5th St., one block from Davenport City Hall, this old rail bridge eats trucks on a regular basis.[citation needed] 41°31′30″N 90°34′37″W / 41.525°N 90.577°W / 41.525; -90.577
North Grant Ave Bridge 3.51 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″N 93°17′53″W / 37.230°N 93.298°W / 37.230; -93.298
Trampe Avenue underpass 3.51 m (11 ft 6 in) Spanish Lake, Missouri, U.S. Owned by BNSF.[50] 38°47′20″N 90°12′22″W / 38.789°N 90.206°W / 38.789; -90.206
McDowell Street underpass (WV 16) 2.74 m (9 ft 0 in)
(main road)
3.94 m (12 ft 11 in)
(truck bypass)		 Welch, West Virginia, U.S. Incidents happen at the lower-clearance portion.[51] 37°26′10″N 81°35′13″W / 37.436°N 81.587°W / 37.436; -81.587
Big Penny 1928 3.66 m (12 ft 0 in) Lansing, Michigan, U.S. Rail bridge owned by Canadian National Railway crossing Pennsylvania Avenue near Potter Park. Penny's truck-eating incidents are regularly reported (at least 57 documented 2015–2025).[52][53][54] In recent years, Penny and her appetite have been celebrated as a cultural landmark.[55][56][57][58][59][excessive citations] 42°43′08″N 84°32′17″W / 42.719°N 84.538°W / 42.719; -84.538
Sofia Street [ru] Overpass 2009 2.7 m (8 ft 10 in) Saint Petersburg, Russia Nicknamed the "Bridge of Fools" (Мост глупости),[60] In 2018 overpass was presented with a birthday cake after a truck got stuck under it the 150th time.[61] 59°47′28″N 30°29′46″E / 59.791°N 30.496°E / 59.791; 30.496
Talbot Street Bridge 1931 3.3 m (10 ft 10 in) London, Ontario, Canada A Canadian Pacific Railway bridge,[62] it is one of many bridges known as a "can opener".[63] 42°59′38″N 81°15′25″W / 42.994°N 81.257°W / 42.994; -81.257
Meador Avenue underpasses 1960[citation needed] 3.96 m (13 ft 0 in)

Height before 2018: 3.89 m (12 ft 9 in)

 Bellingham, Washington, U.S. A pair of underpasses of Interstate 5.[64] 48°45′07″N 122°27′43″W / 48.752°N 122.462°W / 48.752; -122.462
Wise Avenue Norfolk Southern Underpass 3.43 m (11 ft 3 in) Roanoke, Virginia, U.S. An railway underpass and adjacent low water bridge located near the border of Roanoke City and Town of Vinton, which has experienced several tall vehicle strikes over the years.[citation needed] 37°16′41″N 79°54′43″W / 37.278°N 79.912°W / 37.278; -79.912

References

[edit]
  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 20 July 2022.
  3. ↑ "Truck Slams Into Durham's 'Can Opener' Bridge Despite New Warning System". 13 February 2017. Archived from the original on 13 February 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  4. 1 2 "Durham's infamous 'can opener' bridge to be raised | CBS 17". 1 November 2019. Archived from the original on 1 November 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  5. ↑ "A little off the top: Durham's "Canopener Bridge" makes the front page of The Wall Street Journal | News | Indy Week". 9 January 2016. Archived from the original on 9 January 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  6. ↑ "Storrowed". Universal Hub. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  7. ↑ "The Duke Employee Behind the 'Can Opener Bridge' Cam | Duke Today". 10 November 2021. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  8. ↑ "New warning system installed at covered bridge that keeps getting hit by cars". WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta. 20 June 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  9. ↑ "People Won't Stop Smashing Into Lancaster, NH's Adorable Covered Bridge". Jalopnik. 13 July 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  10. ↑ "MECHANIC STREET BRIDGE – New Hampshire Covered Bridges". www.nh.gov. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  11. ↑ Stuckey, Greta (10 December 2025). "Syracuse plans 'clanker system' to stop trucks from hitting Park Street bridge". The Post-Standard. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
  12. ↑ "After 8 Months Dormant, The Awful Montague Street Bridge Has Awoken To Feed". PEDESTRIAN.TV. 5 February 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  13. ↑ Cooper, Adam (9 October 2018). "Bus driver failed to see warnings before hitting Montague Street bridge, court told". The Age. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  14. ↑ "Flood prevention at Montague". The Herald (Melbourne). 9 August 1934. p. 12. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  15. ↑ "How to Get to the Esplanade from Boston". BostonZest. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  16. ↑ Helper, Adam (16 March 2021). "DON'T GET STORROWED / The Truck Height Limit On Storrow Drive In Boston | AdamHelper". Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  17. ↑ "A look inside a Boston phenomenon: Storrowing". www.boston.com. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  18. ↑ "The Bayswater Bridge fights back: Car left wrecked after sign falls on roof". WAtoday. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  19. ↑ "Countdown on until we farewell the infamous Bayswater Bridge". METRONET. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  20. ↑ "FAQ". KCUR. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  21. ↑ "FAQ". 11 FOOT 8. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  22. ↑ Bentley, Nick; Kabir, Shanila (30 April 2026). "School bus crashes into Goldsboro bridge; 6 students, driver taken to hospitals, police say". WNCN-TV. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
  23. ↑ Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: A Bridge Too Low; Truck Hits Overpass In West End, February 19, 2013
  24. ↑ Griffin, Krys'tal (14 July 2022). "Those aren't wrecking balls. See the new effort to prevent crashes at Newark underpass". The News Journal. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  25. ↑ Furlong, Tim (19 March 2026). "'Clankers' to the rescue again: Orange balls protecting Del. bridge from trucks". WCAU. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
  26. ↑ Keeran, Joshua (24 July 2021). "'Can Opener' incidents down". The Delaware Gazette. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  27. ↑ Geftos, Tony (2 October 2023). "Train bridge in Tiffin dubbed 'The Can Opener'". WTVG-TV. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  28. ↑ Clements, Adam (20 April 2026). "How a low-hanging bridge keeps causing issues for unsuspecting Tri-State drivers". WKRC-TV. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
  29. ↑ Cook, Chris (6 October 2022). "New warning system aims to prevent bridge collisions on Linden Avenue". Times Recorder. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  30. ↑ "9foot7". YouTube. Retrieved 22 October 2026.
  31. ↑ Staff (18 December 2023). "Louisville's 3rd Street 'can opener' claims another semitruck". WDRB-TV. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  32. ↑ Davis, Chris (14 July 2021). "The 'Carters Creek Can Opener' bridge continues to destroy trucks in Columbia". WTVF-TV. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  33. ↑ Mullin, Jeff (10 June 2014). "Don't cross your bridges until they hatch". Enid News & Eagle. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  34. ↑ Rains, Cass (25 April 2017). "UPDATED: Truck strikes bridge on East Maine Tuesday morning". Enid News & Eagle. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  35. ↑ Miller, Jessica (8 January 2018). "City commission mulls preventing bridge accidents". Enid News & Eagle. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  36. ↑ Susanna, Jaime (12 November 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 13 February 2024.
  37. ↑ "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). 31 July 2018. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  38. ↑ 港区 (3 December 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 31 December 2024.
  39. ↑ Hiruma, Takashi (21 October 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 31 December 2024.
  40. 1 2 3 Henderson, Jeni (22 September 2024). "A big hit: Needles Underpass Facebook page becomes local resource". Needles Desert Star. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
  41. ↑ McMillen, Bill (7 June 2024). "Leaving their mark: Needles High School juniors continue underpass painting tradition". Mohave Valley Daily News. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
  42. ↑ Anderson, Noah (15 October 2026). "'Can Opener' strikes again: Notorious railroad trestle in Marysville". KTXL-TV. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
  43. ↑ Boro explores banning trucks on Main Street, Brainy Boro Blog, Mar. 15, 2016[self-published source]
  44. ↑ Boro girds for fight on Main St. truck ban, Brainy Boro Blog, Feb. 23, 2017[self-published source]
  45. ↑ "Metuchen's Truck Eating Bridge". Weird NJ. No. 61. October 2023.
  46. ↑ Intersections Improvements Along Main Street (CR 531) from Talmadge Avenue to Brunswick Avenue, North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, Oct. 7, 2020
  47. ↑ Safety improvements along Main Street (CR 531) from Talmadge Avenue to Brunswick Avenue in the Borough of Metuchen
  48. ↑ Public Meeting: Metuchen Safety Improvements
  49. ↑ "'The beast has been feeding': Council Bluffs' famed 'Ripper' bridge claims the roofs of big box trucks". KMTV 3 News Now Omaha. 4 June 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
  50. ↑ Kinsaul, Russell (5 August 2025). "Improvements planned for low clearance bridge repeatedly struck by trucks". KMOV. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  51. ↑ McChesney, Clayton (6 February 2024). "Dangerous Welch underpass causes concern from community and City's mayor". WVVA-TV. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
  52. ↑ "Chomp! Chomp! Penn Ave. bridge ready for next victim". lansingstatejournal.com. 25 July 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  53. ↑ "Big Penny strikes again!". WLNS.com. 4 October 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  54. ↑ "Big Penny: Incident History". 12ft0.com. 9 June 2025. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  55. ↑ "Lansing non-profit celebrates Big Penny with free party in Old Town". wlns.com. 27 August 2025. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  56. ↑ "How Michigan's capital learned to love a truck-eating bridge". MLive.com. 28 December 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  57. ↑ "Lansing Pennsylvania Avenue bridge gets new name on Google". lansingstatejournal.com. 4 August 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  58. ↑ "A Big Penny for your trucks". lansingcitypulse.com. 4 September 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  59. ↑ "Ode to Big Penny: A Creative Look at a Famous Bridge". PBS.org. 9 June 2025. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  60. ↑ Plavskaya, Yelena (27 May 2018). "Петербуржцы подарили «мосту глупости» юбилейный торт" [Petersburgers Give “Bridge of Stupidity” a Birthday Cake]. Izvestiya.
  61. ↑ "150th Truck Gets Stuck Under St. Petersburg's 'Bridge of Stupidity'". The Moscow Times. 28 May 2018.
  62. ↑ Butler, Colin (1 January 2019). "How 'sacrificial beams' are helping the Talbot Street bridge deal with its stuck truck problem". CBC News.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  63. ↑ Staff (22 July 2025). "City vehicle collides with notorious Talbot Street bridge: 'She's a big one'". The London Free Press.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  64. ↑ "WRECR - COLLISION ANALYSIS TOOL". wrecr.wsp.wa.gov. Retrieved 24 October 2026. (990 Meador Avenue, Bellingham)
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