Maribyrnong mayor Nam Quach has called for VicRoads to take action to prevent more trucks and their loads being wedged under the Napier Street Bridge in Footscray following two recent incidents.
“Something needs to be done before a pedestrian is killed by a shipping container,” the mayor said.
The low rail overpass is frequently struck by truck loads, causing containers to be wedged or fall off.
Cr Quach said although a height clearance was marked, truck drivers persisted in trying to fit oversize loads under the bridge.
“We want VicRoads to penalise truck drivers who do the wrong thing and also install height barriers along Napier Street to give them a chance to avoid the bridge.”
He suggested better education for the trucking industry. “If there is more awareness among drivers of the height limit, they will have a chance to try an alternative route.”
His comment came as the Maribyrnong Truck Action Group released a list of recent truck incidents in the inner west to show the impact of trucks on the community. Included were 29 incidents at the Napier Street Bridge in the past four years alone.
VicRoads regional director Patricia Liew said the authority was investigating ways to reduce the occurrence of bridge crashes, including changes to the height detection system.
