The railway viaduct located on Laviolette Street in Trois-Rivières, in Mauricie, is causing problems for semi-trailer truckers.
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The infrastructure would measure 4.1 m, according to road directions. However, an even smaller semi-trailer truck got stuck Wednesday afternoon. He was heavily damaged by the collision.
LCN screenshot
This would not be the first driver to experience this unfortunate situation. This happens at least three to four times a year, depending on who gets them out of trouble.
This is because on the other side of the viaduct, there is an inclination which can surprise drivers who do not know the area.
“The tractor-trailer, as it is longer, it will start to go up the slope after passing under the railway bridge and will gain a little more height,” explained Sébastien Drolet, regional sergeant at Quebec Highway Control.
Each time, it is a delicate towing operation because it is a Quebec-Gatineau Railway structure. Employees had to go to the site to ensure that it had not been damaged.
“We are going to deflate the tires, modify the suspension system, lower [la remorque] as much as possible,” indicated Ghyslain Hinse, owner of Remorquage Guilbert.
LCN screenshot
Reached by telephone, the driver involved in the accident has more than 25 years of experience as a truck driver and affirmed that in his entire career, this has never happened to him. He did not receive a ticket.
“When the city does paving work, for example under the viaduct, there is systematically surveying work and if we have to change the signage, we do it. Moreover, it is not a lane reserved for trucks,” clarified the spokesperson for the City of Trois-Rivières, Guillaume Cholette-Janson.
However, this driver was entitled to use it because he was going to make a delivery to a local convenience store. He thus returned to Quebec frustrated, without his cargo, which had to be secured before returning to the road.
The City promises to submit the problem to its experts. An adjustment to the signaling or even a traffic ban on trucks that are too long could be made.
