Oversized Semi-Truck Load Collides with Six Bridges During a Single Journey

      Oklahoma Turnpike Authority

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      Anyone driving on public roads carries a significant responsibility to be aware of their surroundings, and this is especially true for semi-truck drivers. When operating with a combined weight of 80,000 pounds for hundreds of miles daily, the likelihood of encountering or causing a dangerous situation increases. In this instance, the driver neglected this duty, crashing into six bridges—yes, six—with an illegally over-height load during a single trip.

      In another unfortunate episode for highway overpasses, the trucker transporting an oversized pipe along Oklahoma’s Interstate 44 and Will Rogers Turnpike caused damage to structures between Tulsa and Miami. The poorly planned heavy haul impacted the following routes:

      - E 530 Road – closed between S 4130 Road and Lakeway Road

      - S 4220 Road – closed between E 460 Road and E 470 Road east of Claremore

      - N 429 Road – closed between E 390 Road and SH-28

      - N 4300 Road – closed between E 380 Road and W 390 Road

      - N 4310 Road – open

      - W 370 Road – open

      The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority initially detected damage on the S 4220 Road bridge on Tuesday. Shortly thereafter, authorities widened their investigation and discovered five additional damaged bridges along the approximately 90-mile span. Four out of the six bridges were damaged severely enough to require repairs before they can accommodate traffic.

      Furthermore, the load was secured by just four ratchet straps.

      Based on the OTA’s photos, the blue Freightliner lacked any oversized load signage. There also seemed to be no pilot vehicles accompanying it. According to state regulations, the standard height limit for loads on Oklahoma turnpikes is 14 feet, and anything exceeding that requires a special permit issued by the Department of Transportation that specifies the exact routes to be taken. It can be inferred that this procedure was not followed here, as the OTA reports that the damaged bridges have vertical clearances ranging from 14 feet 11 inches to 15 feet 4 inches, "well above the legal limit."

      It's uncertain what penalties the driver or the trucking company will face, but they are likely to be substantial. States typically impose stiff consequences for damaging their roads, particularly along heavily trafficked routes like this one. I reside near the Will Rogers Turnpike and utilize it whenever I travel to Tulsa, but I will avoid it until these issues are resolved.

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