DOT plans more safety measures for parkway bridge

By DaviD Tyler

The New York State Department of Transportation is incorporating several additional warning devices and signs to help prevent trucks from hitting the CSX-owned railroad bridge on Onondaga Lake Parkway.

On Wednesday, state

DOT Commissioner Marie

Therese Dominguez joined Senator John Mannion and state Assembly members Bill Magnarelli and Pam Hunter to announce the new safety measures for the bridge, which has already been hit six times this year by over height vehicles.

“Some of these new measures that we’re undertaking, we believe will make it less likely for trucks and the over height vehicles to get on the parkway,” Dominguez said. “It’s also going to provide additional warnings to help them avoid striking the bridge.”

The measures include:

3 Maintaining the closure of the entry ramp to Onondaga Lake Parkway from Route 81 northbound. The ramp has been closed since April.

3 Reducing the number of lanes on Onondaga Lake Parkway to one in each direction.

3 New signage that says, “No Trucks.”

3 New pavement markings.

3 New LED signs that activate when an over height vehicle is detected.

3 A new traffic signal on the bridge that activates as a red light when an over height vehicle is detected. Dominguez also implored the trucking industry to upgrade their GPS systems to commercial grade systems that indicate roads with low clearance hazards.

“NYSDOT can’t do this alone. We need drivers – especially drivers of over height vehicles – to pay attention.” she said. “Safety is everyone’s responsibility. We all have a role to play.”

“I’m pleased to see that action is being taken on the Onondaga Lake Parkway bridge,” said Mannion. “It’s clear that we have a problem here, and that problem needs solutions.”