More than 600 bridges have been hit by vehicles that surpassed height requirements in the last 10 years – PennDOT is reminding drivers to be mindful when driving large vehicles to prevent more damage to Commonwealth bridges.
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation today launched a new public awareness campaign aimed at helping drivers avoid hitting low bridges with vehicles. The “Check Your Height, Know It’s Right” campaign – announced as part of a multi-state collaboration – encourages motorists to know their vehicle height and check that it will safely fit under bridges on their route. Vehicle strikes to the tops or sides of bridges, commonly known as bridge hits, damage vehicles and infrastructure, cause traffic delays, and put the public and emergency responders at risk.
According to PennDOT data, in the 10 years between 2013 and 2023, there were more than 600 strikes to bridges or other overhead structures in PA.
“Pennsylvania has made tremendous progress on improving our bridges, and through Governor Shapiro’s budget investments we can advance even more repairs. Each of these bridge strikes take funding away from other projects and often involve resources from our emergency response partners,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “Drivers must know their vehicle height and watch for signage indicating bridge heights. If you are driving a commercial vehicle, a delivery or moving truck, or an RV, do not rely on your navigation app. Check the height of your vehicle and know it’s right!”
In Pennsylvania, vehicles and loads taller than 13’6” must apply for a Special Hauling Permit. All bridges with a vertical clearance less than 14’6” are signed with low-clearance warnings, both at the bridge and in advance of the structure. Drivers should always watch for and adhere to signage indicating bridge heights and not rely solely on navigation devices which do not consider vehicle height when giving route guidance.
The “Check Your Height, Know It’s Right” campaign will involve public and industry outreach targeting commercial driver’s license holders and non-commercial drivers operating commercial trucks, leased trucks (such as delivery and moving box-type trucks), and recreational vehicles. Crash data shows that drivers may not always consider vehicle height and related restrictions during operation. For example, a typical 26-foot moving/delivery truck may have a height ranging from 11’ to 13’6”. The campaign also reminds drivers to lower truck beds and check the height of equipment they’re hauling.
Drivers are responsible for knowing the height of their vehicle – whether a personal vehicle or a rented one – and observing and complying with posted bridge heights. Pennsylvania motorists can use 511PA to check their route for low-clearance bridges (<13’6”) using the “Low Bridge” map layer. When the map layer is on, low bridges are indicated with a bridge icon that users can click for more information about the location.
Additionally, in 2023 the Shapiro Administration launched a 511PA mobile app enhancement allowing drivers to specify vehicle type – either commercial or passenger vehicle. If commercial vehicle is selected, vehicle restrictions and low-bridge data is turned on in drive mode by default and audio alerts can be heard along your route.
Where possible, PennDOT and other bridge owners increase the vertical clearance under bridges during rehabilitation and reconstruction projects to reduce the chances of strikes. Over the past 10 years, more than 160 bridges with 16’5” or less of vertical clearance were raised by at least 3” during replacement.
PennDOT is adopting the “Check Your Height, Know It’s Right” campaign with the support of The Eastern Transportation Coalition, a partnership of 19 states and D.C., focused on connecting public agencies across modes of travel to increase safety and efficiency. The states are highlighting a Bridge Hit Awareness campaign this week, building on a New York State Department of Transportation initiative that grew into a multi-state collaboration.
For more information on PennDOT’s “Check Your Height, Know It’s Right” campaign, visit https://www.pa.gov/agencies/penndot/news-and-media/media-resources/trucks. For information on The Eastern Transportation Coalition Bridge Hit effort, contact Marygrace Parker at mgparker@tetcoalition.org.
Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.
Information about state infrastructure in Pennsylvania, including completed work and significant projects, can be found at PennDOT.pa.gov/results. Find PennDOT's planned and active construction projects at https://www.pa.gov/agencies/penndot/projects-near-you.html.
Subscribe to local PennDOT news or statewide PennDOT news on the department’s website.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Jennifer Kuntch, jkuntch@pa.gov or 717-705-1551
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