Larry wrote on Mar 13, 2007 2:00 PM:
" What the heck was he thinking going off his route!!!! "
LAB wrote on Mar 12, 2007 10:01 PM:
" He was on his way back into Canada with the load. Not MN as mentioned above. He's a Canadian and can't interstate while in the US. What happened ??? He simply erred in judgement.
The load is the bucket for a large shovel. I had a look at the trailer this AM in Edmonton, Alberta.
Some areas now have a laser beam that points towards you and is set at a certain height that will activate a sign that flashed to warn you to come to a stop now NOW because you're too high as the laser makes contact with your load.
The carrier is also a Canadian company that that won the American Trucker of the Year Award for SAFETY, and now this accident. Accidents don't just happen, they're CAUSED ! "
Not a P&H wrote on Mar 7, 2007 9:35 AM:
" Not to correct Mr. Lambert, the bucket in question is not from P&H. It is from the South Milwaukee Bucyrus International plant. It is for a #495 shovel. It sat on the truck in the yard at Bucyrus for two or three days late last week before leaving early Saturday morning. I walked past it twice each day. It was headded to a mine in Minnesota. I am watching for it to return to South Milwaukee for some repairs, if needed. "
?????????????????????????????????????????????????????? wrote on Mar 6, 2007 7:02 PM:
" WHY DOES'T THE COUNTY PUT SIGNS UP SAYING HOW TALL THE BRIDGE OR WHY DOES'T THE COUNTY THE TEAR THE BRIDE DOWN AND BUILD IT HIGHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THE BRIDGE HAS BEEN HIT 4 OR 5 TIMES NOW THE COUNTY NEEDS TO DO SOMTHING ABOUT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "
re:Terry R wrote on Mar 6, 2007 9:04 AM:
" We wouldn't have anything if it wasn't for them? What about the people than manufacture,prepare, package, reap, grow, butcher,etc.? I think you give truck drivers too much credit. Does the paper boy get credit for writing the news too? "
Terry R wrote on Mar 5, 2007 11:33 PM:
" Dont worry people you wont have to pay for the bridge.The insurance company that insures that drivers company will have to pay for it.As for all you people that think you know everything about trucking but have never stepped foot in one,back off!I am very familiar with the company that was hauling it and know that their drivers would not risk anything to take a route he wasnt supposed to be on.Another thing is this load probably had a pilot car infront of it to notice clearances long before the truck gets there.Another thing is if recently the state paved this section or did anything to adjust the road height it may not had been remeasured recently,so when the state issued a permit and designated the route the D.O.T computer would have showed the old clearance.Get off the backs of truckers.You wouldnt have anything if it wasnt for them. "
Wondering..... wrote on Mar 5, 2007 9:45 PM:
" Does the over sized permit tell him where it is safe to get off the interstate in case he needs to pull over to sleep?? Why can't all bridges be marked with the height sign?? Hwy 35 is 4 lanes - traveled everyday by trucks - I think it would be smart to mark them for out of towners. Especially since this is the 3rd? time this has happened!
"
re: ks wrote on Mar 5, 2007 10:32 AM:
" I find it amazing that you critisize "people" because they aren't educated about your job. Isn't it part of your job to know if you can travel on the roads? As far as truckers sacrificing, they get paid plenty for what they do. Truckers seem to think they own the roads, or at least the right to do what they want when they want. Wisconsin should change the freeway to a tollway then there would be a fund to help defray the expense of stupid people ramming bridges. "
apologists wrote on Mar 5, 2007 10:24 AM:
" To all the truck driver apologists that have posted. Please note the trucker was hauling an oversized load by permit. Any load over 13'-6" is considered oversized. The permits are there for a reason - they give the route that is known to accomodate the oversize load. This trucker was off his route, which was the interstate! There are literally hundreds of bridges throughout the state that do not meet the height criteria.
What ever happened to taking responsibility for ones own actions? "
Has happened before... wrote on Mar 5, 2007 9:51 AM:
" Two years ago I was driving down the off ramp right behind a wide load truck carrying a manufactured home when it hit that same overpass...luckily I was a safe distance behind it. But it's a safety hazard that needs to be addressed...and obviously no one's done anything about it! "
git r done wrote on Mar 5, 2007 7:42 AM:
" dear "wondering why", it is very unlikely this driver was breaking his route for his oversized load. I can say with certainty that the load he lost, as well as the bridge are both VERY EXPENSIVE, and he would not have taken that chance.
Who IS to blame is the State DOT for not reporting the correct clearance height of the bridge to trucking companies to plan routes.
Yes, taxpayers will pay for it, it is our governments fault!!! This isn't the first or the last time it will happen either. They did say this bridge had been hit before. Fix the bridge, and publish the correct height. Idiots. "
???????? wrote on Mar 4, 2007 9:22 PM:
" Everyone knows that this bridge has been hit before, How much would it of cost to put up a low clearance sign, a few hundred dollars. That would of been way to easy for the state to do. I bet we will see a low clearance sign on it now, but it will cost a little more now than before. Whos to blame for this? partly the state for turning their heads and not noticing something so simple. Now we will all have to deal with this for the next few months. Thank you state of wisconsin. "
Lets see now wrote on Mar 4, 2007 8:29 PM:
" most towns this big have a truck stop for big rigs but now I know why there are none in La Crosse, the exit ramps were not built for trucks!
"
DJ on the boat and the bridge.... wrote on Mar 4, 2007 8:01 PM:
" That particular load had a WI DOT permit from the eastern part of the state to the previous Skipperliner location, directing the driver on I-90, getting off at Hwy 157, to SS and into the industrial park. The driver also carried a permit issued by the city from the intersection of George St and Hwy 35( Walgreen's intersection) to the municipal boat harbor. Any travel on I-90 past Hwy 157 was without a permit and in violation. I cited the carrier for overlength, overwidth and overheight violations. Drivers have cel phones and satellite communications in addition to permits that spell out the routes and hours of travel. PS, WI DOT, not the county are the ones that repave, etc. the interstate. Lots of misinfo displayed in previous posts. "
still wondering wrote on Mar 4, 2007 7:27 PM:
" Can someone still answer the million dollor question??? will he have to pay for this?? "
SLOW DRIVERS KEEP RIGHT!!!!!!! wrote on Mar 4, 2007 6:58 PM:
" Regardless of what happened here it's the State is to blame. The state, by LAW, must provide safe transportation; either it be road signs or cleaning loose gravel on tight corners. Driver's should not need to get out of their trucks to verify clearance at every bridge.
Our tax dollars are not meant to pay for overpaid dullards in the senate. "
Downtown wrote on Mar 4, 2007 6:20 PM:
" I bet he wanted to get wasted with all those college students...get rid of the truck drivers and college students and LAX would be a great place to live! "
Wondering why - wrote on Mar 4, 2007 5:12 PM:
" if the permit for MN didn't become effective until Sunday - the load left Milwaukee at a point that would have it at the WI/MN border 13 hours earlier than the driver could 'legally' enter MN. If the driver had followed his Oversize Load permit for WI (which gives the driver a height-safe path) the way he was attempting to follow the MN permit, this wouldn't be an issue because he wouldn't have been attempting to get off at the La Crosse exit. "
K S wrote on Mar 4, 2007 4:09 PM:
" It is truly amazing how many people have no clue as to what is involved in a particular person's job and how ignorant they are when they criticize without knowing all the facts. The trucking industry is not a glamorous "gravy" job. Truckers sacrifice family life and personal free time to keep the wheels of commerce turning and our store shelves stocked. It is no wonder there is such a high demand for qualified drivers. We have become a society of convenience. Gone are the days of mass warehousing of goods, evrything is "just in time" which only adds to the demands on the drivers. Anyone that thinks that driving a semi is easy is welcome to try the lifestyle after which they will soon learn just how difficult it is to make a living. "
Yikes! wrote on Mar 4, 2007 4:05 PM:
" Wait till he gets the bill for that! "
not qualified wrote on Mar 4, 2007 3:43 PM:
" If I can't do math I shouldn't be an accountant,if I can't climb stairs I shouldn't be a fireman.If I can't tell my load is going to clear a bridge I shouldn't be a truck driver. Period.Would you still think it was no big deal if someone was killed? It could easily have turned out that way, 42 tons will crush anything on the road. "
Thanks wrote on Mar 4, 2007 3:24 PM:
" The road he was on was probably not on his permit. If he was driving where he was actually supposed to be driving he would not have hit anything. The permits are very specific.
Who really cares what he was hauling, drill bit, bucket...doesn't make any difference still going to cause months of headache now for everyone. I for one don't have any sympathy for the driver, they way the semis were driving all week during the snow storms I'm pretty sick of having to be on the roads with them. "
Too cheap for a simple sign:( wrote on Mar 4, 2007 2:00 PM:
" A simple yellow/black lettering sign at the exit would solve this.Some states DO this,but not here.They did put up the"Rough road-next 13 miles".Shows that Lax County does LITTLE for the interstate.Slap down some asphalt and call it a day,while diverting all that tax money elsewhere.They have more than enough funds to do I-90 with full concrete.I hope all the truckers compression brake through Onalaska.I feel for the trucker,all that was on his mind was a place to sack-out. "
Badgerboy Cont'd wrote on Mar 4, 2007 11:44 AM:
" Yes the driver could have stopped at exsit 12 or at Tomah. Under most permits drivers are only aloud to work from dawn to dusk, and have to follow the hours of service from Federal Motor Carries Safety Assc. Drivers try to maximize their work day with hours of service. This causes drivers to stop in places that they normally don't stop at such as: Walmart, Target or Sam's Club parking lots. There are many factors that went into why the driver was there, we will never know them all nor should we pass judgement. The driver made a mistake, we have all made mistakes on the job. It is just truckdrivers are in the public's view. Yes we will be inconvienced for a while, but the bridge will be fixed, it won't cost the taxpayers money, but the trucking company will sure get a big bill. "
truck driver wrote on Mar 4, 2007 11:10 AM:
" the over pass dosn't have any postings and the dot should pay "
a truck driver wrote on Mar 4, 2007 11:08 AM:
" they don't have the proper signs on that over pass and the dot should pay for it ad if any of you people want to drive a truck i'll give you my keys to try
"
Badgerboy wrote on Mar 4, 2007 11:06 AM:
" In reading the comments posted there are somethings that people should realize. Each State has their own policies on vehicle and bridge height. Vehicles which are over a certain height need to have a pilot car with height pole out in front. This is determined by the state in which you apply for a permit. On permits it will only list the route you must take with the size of load you are permitting. They do not give you a list of truckstops or bridge heights that are off the route. This is up to the driver to check. Map books and websites only list bridges that are close to 13'6" high or lower, if bridge is over about 13'8" high they are not listed and you travel at your own risk. Continued! "
JS wrote on Mar 4, 2007 10:35 AM:
" See the high amount of truck traffic that needs to use the bridge over and under I-90 the DOT needs to consider raising the height clearence. This happened a couple years ago when some guy's boat hit the bridge. With the maount of repairs they are going to put into this job maybe they sould consider raising it. "
???? wrote on Mar 4, 2007 10:29 AM:
" who will have to fix the bridge?? "
remember when wrote on Mar 4, 2007 10:26 AM:
" Truckers stayed at rest areas and carried a tape measure? Trust me when I tell you (heard it here 1st folks) this bridge will have to be redone,replaced,fixed like new,and it won't be cheap. Put a sign before every bridge in the area and then there will be no doubt who is to blame. The sad thing is that this guy had so many options. Sparta for food and rest area, french island for food and rest area or hotel if needed. someone ------- the pooch on this one. "
Sign? wrote on Mar 4, 2007 9:27 AM:
" Isn't there usually a sign stating the height limit? Shouldn't the driver know the height of his oversize load? To the person that thinks the DOT should have to pay...don't you realize the DOT is a state funded operation....do you really want your taxes to go up more? "
WISDot Failure wrote on Mar 4, 2007 8:14 AM:
" If the Trib would check even further, they would find that this has happened in the 1990's as well. And it is because the headroom clearance under the Overhead is less than 14'-0". All other locations like this throughout Wisconsin provide a minimum headroom clearance of 14'-6". This was as a result of a mistake made bt WISDot over 35 years ago. How about fixing the mistake finally! "
What an air head wrote on Mar 4, 2007 8:10 AM:
" I haul alot of over height loads, check the truck route maps with the bridge heights and stop at the lower bridges and check the height. Looks like He gaver hell and made a run at it. "
Replace the bridge wrote on Mar 4, 2007 7:49 AM:
" I hope DOT has to replace the entire bridge. Serves them and us right for not fixing this problem a long time ago. How many trucks have to crash into this bridge before the idiots at DOT do something!!! "
So... wrote on Mar 4, 2007 6:59 AM:
" How did they get that thing back on the truck? Yikes! "
KS wrote on Mar 4, 2007 6:05 AM:
" Hindsight is always 20/20. The driver was trying to do the right thing by not going to MN without the proper valid permit(s). Wisconsin has several oversize loads travel each day without pilot cars. With proper planning this could have been avoided. Being in the trucking industry myself, I also understand the pressures placed upon the driver. It is horrible to be in a position to be required to choose between your life and your livelihood. Public servants, veterans, and countless others are forced to do this every day. Nearly everything a person buys at one point or another travelled by truck. The trucking industry is the driving force behind commerce and the American economy. Right or wrong remember we are all human. We all can and do make mistakes. "
Greg Lambert wrote on Mar 4, 2007 4:04 AM:
" This piece of equipment is NOT a drill bit. It is a bucket for a P&H 2800XPA shovel (used to load mine trucks). The weight is approx. 42 tons the 75 tons reported is the gross weight of the truck, trailer, and load. I have hauled three of these items from Joliette,Quebec to Morenci,Arizona in the past. It's the drivers part to be aware of stuctures that his load will not fit under. "
Nothing new wrote on Mar 4, 2007 12:44 AM:
" Lets shut it down for a few more summers and just keep adding lanes instead of making better clearances. Why not put some clearance signs before they get to the bridge? Really huge signs, so these dumb a**es can't miss them. Or maybe teach truck drivers how to really drive. They give cdl's to anyone these days. "
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