Near miss on Anderson Bridge

March 6, 2009

MIRAMICHI - No one was hurt when a truck hauling a front end loader hit the cross beam meant to protect the Anderson Bridge Tuesday.

The thick steel beam - called a backscratcher - did its job when it caught the top of the loader being hauled on a transport truck trailer before it could reach the bridge.

Despite signs along the road and on the beam warning drivers of the bridge's height, the truck still tried to pass under the backscratcher with its tall load.

The force of the impact ripped the beam from its perch and knocked it to the ground where it lay in the snow while Transportation Department workers directed traffic through the accident scene.

Miramichi Police Force Cst. Lindsay Louden said traffic was already down to one lane because of construction on the bridge at the time of the accident.

"He's just lucky there was no on underneath at the time."

Police received the call around 10:45 a.m. and by about 11:30 a.m. the loader was off the trailer. As it backed down the road on tires taller than the workers standing beside it, the loader left an oily trail behind on the asphalt, although Louden said there didn't seem to be any damage to it.

"It hit the top of the loader so it didn't cause anything to the truck."

Louden said the construction meant speeds were reduced leading onto the bridge and she didn't think speed was a factor in the damage caused to the backscratcher.

"With the size of the vehicle it wouldn't take too much, I guess."

Rippled edges on the end of the beam show where it snapped off its supports before landing in the snow on the side of the road.

The beam's height limit sign wasn't visible because it was buried under the snow.

Transportation Department district engineer Andy Legere confirmed there are signs leading up to the bridge to warn of the height restrictions.

"It's advertised well."

For now there is nothing in place to protect the bridge from oversized loads, but the department will work as fast as they can to get a replacement up, he said.

"It does leave the bridge somewhat vulnerable without it up there."

But Legere said he didn't know how long it would take to replace the beam.

"It will depend on how quickly we can get the beam."

There isn't much they can do to protect the bridge until the backscratcher is back in place, he said.

"Obviously we just hope people abide by the rules of the road."