Bridge-height resource helps avoid overpass damage

Several times each year in Idaho, a bridge is hit by an over-height vehicle. Almost immediately, that road is closed…and may stay that way for months. It can also cost taxpayers millions when a driver’s insurance does not pay.

ITD's bridge inspectors regularly collect minimum heights for all bridges on state highway routes. Yet, this information has never been given to the overweight/over-height permitting department in an easy-to-use format.

So, at the request of Yi Liu in permitting, a Google Earth map will show bridge heights by category. The permitting department will be able to toggle on layers depending on the truck height and see which bridges the truck can safely cross under around the state.

This will speed up the process for permitting over-height vehicles, enhancing their economic opportunity, and increasing safety on state roads, while saving unknown time by avoiding these bridge hit and the resulting closures.

Here's a video compilation of bridge hits from around the country

Published 08-10-18