When entering the word ‘truck’ into Google, a flurry of angry news articles about heavy vehicles hitting bridges and tunnels will surround your screen.
Every year, commuters are faced with lengthy delays when over height vehicles collide with bridges and structures, not to mention the infrastructure damage and nasty scrapes to your truck’s paint.
Incidents have become so common, and structures so iconic, that websites like ‘how many days since Montague street bridge has been hit’, and other social media pages have begun popping up.
So, to avoid being plastered on front page news, losing your license, or being mercilessly mocked on a Facebook group, we have collated a list of the most hit areas in New South Wales and Victoria for you to watch out for.
New South Wales
Perhaps the strictest of the states, constant incidents have led to the NSW government introducing six-month registration suspensions to the owners and operators of heavy vehicles who strike, while truck drivers face a $4,097 fine and 12 demerit points.
Incidents involving over height trucks have dropped to their lowest level since 2017 in New South Wales following the introduction of these penalties.
A spokesperson for Transport NSW says, “Truck drivers and the companies they operate on behalf of need to know the height of their load and have it properly restrained throughout their journey.”
“Transport for NSW is working closely with industry, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and unions to reduce over height breaches and educate drivers on preventative actions they can take to avoid an overweight incident occurring.”
According to NSW Transport, the top hit tunnels and rail bridge/locations are:
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Sydney Harbour Tunnel
Height clearance: 4.4 metres
In June this year, three over-height trucks blocked the Sydney Harbour Tunnel in only two days.
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M5 East Main Tunnel
Height clearance: 4.6 metres
2010 saw 50 metres of roofing being scraped from the M5 by an over height truck.
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Domain Tunnel
Height clearance: 4.4 metres
Looks can be deceiving, so keep an eye out for this one.
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Sydney Airport Tunnel
Height clearance: 4.4 metres
In May this year, a driver copped the $4,097 fine for having a load “well over” the height limit for a Sydney tunnel while trying to pass through.
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Lane Cove Tunnel
Height clearance: 4.4 metres
November last year saw two over-height vehicles become stuck on the M2 in just four hours.
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Galston Road at Galston Gorge, Galston
Length clearance: 7.5 metres
This road is not easy and has a fairly notorious reputation, with vehicles over 7.5 metres not permitted.
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Foreshore Rd, General Holmes Drive Underpass, Mascot
Height clearance: 5.0 metres
Located near the airport, the GHD underpass is one to keep an eye on.
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Sir John Young Crescent/Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo
Height clearance: 4.4 metres
While Woolloomooloo may be fun to say, don’t think that hitting one of its structures will be humorous.
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Frederick Street Railway overpass, Ashfield
Height clearance: 4.2 metres
Never underestimate an overpass.
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Arnott’s Bridge, Parramatta Rd, Strathfield
Height clearance: 4.3 metres
It seems some truckies are getting hungry for risk instead of biscuits when approaching this bridge.
Victoria
A Department of Transport and Planning Victoria spokesperson says it is a situation that is completely avoidable, and in many instances, very dangerous.
“It is the responsibility of road users to ensure they know the size of their vans and trucks before starting their vehicle, and to remain vigilant of signage warning of height restrictions,” they say.
Since 2021, here are the numbers of hits on these popular bridges and locations:
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Racecourse Rd, Newmarket
Height clearance: 3.7 metres
Taking the top spot in VIC is Racecourse Road, Newmarket with a total of 26 hits since 2021.
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Montague St overpass
Height clearance: 3.0 metres
The infamous Montague St bride has seen its fair share of news clips, with 22 hits over the past three years.
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Essendon, Mt Alexander Rd
Height clearance: 4.0 metres
With five hits, we dub this location silent but deadly.
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Racecourse Rd, Newmarket
Height clearance: 3.7 metres
Coming in three times on this list, Racecourse Rd is a host to a few hard-to-miss structures. This Racecourse Rd location has 17 hits in its diary.
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Napier St, Footscray
Height clearance: 4.0 metres
In a tie with above, the Napier St bridge has been hit 17 times over the past three years.
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Huntingdale Rd, Jordanville
Height clearance: 3.9 metres
Nine hits make up the damage to Huntingdale Road.
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Merri Pd, Northcote
Height clearance: 3.3 metres
There is nothing too Merri about being hit nine times.
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Lloyd St Bridge, Sth Kensington
Height clearance: 3.5 metres
Coming in just under Merri Pd, the Lloyd St Bridge has taken a beating seven times.
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Punt Rd, Richmond
Height clearance: 4.3 metres
Infamous for its traffic, Punt Rd bridges are apparently overlooked, with seven smashes on its radar.
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Racecourse Rd, Flemington Bridge
Height clearance: 3.7 metres
Coming in third to its neighbours, this Racecourse Rd location took five hits over three years.