Delaware’s ‘can opener’ bridge: Take a drive under the landmark bridge
A low-clearance bridge has become an official landmark on Google after numerous trucks have struck it or had to make a difficult turn around on a two-lane road.
A railroad overpass so prolific in sheering the tops off trucks that ignore height restriction warnings that it is called “The Can Opener” now has a new distinction.
It is included as a historic landmark on Google Maps.
Typically, old hotels, birthplaces of the famous or other landmarks are designated by Google’s “castle” icon, one of about 40 icons for various points of interest on the maps app.
Followers of the Facebook page “What’s up in Delaware” have wondered if it’s for real or a prank.
“OK, Who did this,” asked one. “A genius, that’s who!!”
“Is that a historical marker or “hysterical marker?”
To some, the designation is yet another warning to motorists whose vehicle height exceeds 12 feet 7 inches.
Over the years, the city has added placards along both sides of the bridge, supplemented by 13 advance warning signs (six from the east and seven from the west) on Central Avenue, each of which has flashing beacons or LED lights.
And six years ago, Delaware, using $165,000 in state funds, installed overhead digital signs that flash “Warning” when a laser detects excessive vehicle height three football fields-lengths away in both directions.
But technological innovations haven’t thwarted all offenders.
“They either hit the bridge or travel too far and have to get be helped turning around,” said Lee Yoakum, the city’s community affairs director.
Last year, there were seven bridge strikes and six near-misses where authorities were needed to back tractor-trailers out of the two-lane road. This year, there have been four strikes and three assisted turnarounds.
Each of these cost the city more than $2,000 in cleanup or manpower. Drivers face fines of $750 for a near-miss to $1,000 for a “hit”
“If this designation helps brings more attention to the bridge, great! But the ultimate solution is for inattentive drivers to read the signs and obey the warnings. In our mind that is not that difficult,” Yoakum said.
Facebook feedback urges common sense.
“Truck drivers need to know all about what they’re driving,” said a woman who was married to a truck driver.
“I do NOT understand how ‘know how tall your trailer is’ isn’t the first thing they tell you in truck driving school.
“I’m like HOW is this such a problem? The height of the bridge is posted in front of the bridge, right?”