FAIL

oorf that's a bad pic. Oh well.

Explanation: there's a low railroad bridge crossing Rt 9 in the middle of Northampton. About once every two weeks (twice this week) a tractor trailer either hits the bridge or stops short just in time and needs to have the cops block off traffic so it can be guided back out and around again. I remember when the office was down on Market down the block from the bridge, we'd hear and feel these horrific BOOMs of bridge pwning truck every so often.

It's not entirely the truckers' faults either. Honestly the signage on Rt.9 and the surrounding streets are poorly placed or nonexistant, and when you can see them, it's misleading, as they state 11' of clearance. The height is not the problem, as 11'6" high buses pass under there all the time. The problem is that the road sharply dips under the bridge so a vehicle with a longer wheelbase than your average bus will get caught under there.

Momentary amusement on my way to work aside, that bridge has been hit a number of times. Hard, considering a lot of these trucks are going at least 20-35 mph when they try to pass under it. Its an old bridge on an all but dead rail line. I really have to wonder about its structural integrity after so may impacts.