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Onondaga Lake Parkway Bridge

The Onondaga Lake Parkway Bridge is a truss bridge just outside the Syracuse, New York city limits that carries the St. Lawrence Subdivision railway freight line owned by CSX Transportation over a segment of New York State Route 370, known as the Onondaga Lake Parkway. The bridge has become infamous for a large number of commercial vehicles colliding with its deck, which rises just 10 feet 9 inches (3.28 m) above grade, while driving down this stretch of NY-370.

Onondaga Lake Parkway Bridge
View of the bridge in April 2023
Coordinates43°5′26″N 76°11′37″W / 43.09056°N 76.19361°W / 43.09056; -76.19361
CarriesSt. Lawrence Subdivision
Crosses NY 370
LocaleSalina, New York, U.S.
Official nameOnondaga Lake Parkway Bridge
Other name(s)
  • The "Undefeated Heavyweight Champion of Central New York"
  • The "World Champion" of Bridges
OwnerCSX Transportation
Characteristics
DesignTruss Bridge
MaterialWrought Iron
No. of spans1
Clearance below10 ft 9 in (3.28 m) (as of April 2023)
History
Opened1871 (1871)
Location
Map

History

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Constructed in 1871 from wrought iron with "substantial stone abutments," the bridge originally carried the rail line over what was then the Oswego Canal, with the first train traversing and testing the bridge on November 6 of that year. It was designed to sustain a distributed load of 230 tons and three tons in compression. A Syracuse Daily Journal reporter remarked upon its opening that the bridge was a "beautiful, substantial, and permanent one; and what every railroad bridge should be." By the early 1900s, the canal was filled in at that point and boats instead took Onondaga Lake to connect to the enlarged and modernized Erie and Oswego canals. The roadway that would later become NY routes 20, 57, and finally 370 was constructed on the former canal bed as a scenic route along the newly established Onondaga Lake Park.[1]

Collisions

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By the 1950s, the first reported collisions of commercial vehicles into the bridge's 10-foot-9-inch deck occurred in spite of a long-standing commercial vehicle ban, as the Onondaga Lake Parkway gradually turned from a leisurely route into a major thoroughfare route between Liverpool and Syracuse.[1] This remains a common occurrence to this day, with the New York State Department of Transportation revealing that between 2020 and 2022, an average of just over 9 vehicles per year have struck the bridge,[2] up from a normal average of 3 collisions per year.[3] In March 2023, three trucks hit the bridge within a span of 12 days, including two within the last three days of the month.[4][5]

Commercial vehicles often rise 13–14 feet above the roadway, taller than the deck of the bridge.[3] In addition, Onondaga County and state officials have cited commercial drivers using non-commercial GPS applications such as Google Maps and Apple Maps, which often route truckers along the parkway and into the bridge.[6] Despite the NYSDOT spending significant funds on countermeasures and warning signage, including up to $30 million between 2020 and early 2023,[2] trucks have continued to crash into the bridge on a regular basis, often times driven by drivers from outside the area, and the recurring collisions into the bridge have inspired internet humor in the Syracuse area.[7][8]

Concerns have been raised about the structural integrity of the bridge after several collisions, but the bridge has remained stable and in good condition as its wrought iron structure was "remarkably well-constructed". In 1996, Department of Transportation official Ray McDougall quipped that the bridge has "won every one" in regard to withstanding numerous collisions over the years.[1] The bridge has jokingly been referred to as the "undefeated heavyweight champion of Central New York" due to withstanding numerous truck crashes.[3]

While many of the crashes have simply been nuisances to the public resulting in few to no injuries,[7] with semi-trailer trucks scraping the bridge or breaking open and spilling their contents after hitting the bridge, a fatal accident occurred in 2010 when a Megabus double-decker bus hit the bridge, killing four passengers.[9] A disaster was narrowly averted in 1992 when a 13-foot-tall tractor trailer wedged itself under the bridge while carrying 40,000 pounds of corrosive powder.[1]

Timeline

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Date Vehicle Outcome Notes
November 25, 2024 Semi-Truck[10]
August 28, 2024 Ryder Box Truck[11]
May 17, 2024 Semi-Truck[12]
April 26, 2024 Ryder Box Truck[13] The driver was issued 4 tickets
March 27, 2024 Box Truck[14] The driver was issued 25 tickets
December 8, 2023 ABR Wholesales Box Truck[15]
November 8, 2023 Ryder Box Truck[16] The driver was issued a ticket for disobeying a traffic control device. This vehichle didnt hit the bridge, driver was pulled over before hand
October 4, 2023 American Moving and Hauling Box Truck[17] The driver received 10 tickets.
September 27, 2023 Box Truck[18] The driver was issued 10 tickets.
May 2, 2023 Penske Box Truck[19] The driver was issued 14 tickets.
April 26, 2023 Greyhound Bus and a Car[20] The bus was turning around to avoid the bridge when it was hit by a car. No injuries reported. The bus did not hit the bridge but was illegally driving on the road. The bus did not hit the bridge but was illegally driving on the road.
April 25, 2023 NYS DOT Vehicle[21] Driver was not issued any tickets.
March 29, 2023 Semi-Truck[22] Driver Received 22 tickets.
March 20, 2023 Semi-Truck[23] Driver issued 2 tickets
February 8, 2023 Semi-Truck[24] No injuries were reported, unknown if the driver received citations.
November 22, 2023 Semi-Truck[25]
October 31, 2023 Semi-Truck[26] Major damage was caused to the truck. The driver suffered minor injuries. One ticked was issued.
December 30, 2022 Amazon Truck[27] The truck did not hit the bridge, but was forced to turn around by police.
June 13, 2022 Amazon Truck[28]
March 31, 2022 Box Truck[29]
July 6, 2022 Box Truck[30]
May 28, 2021 Penske Rental Box Truck[31]
May 26, 2021 Box Truck[32]
December 30, 2020 Ryder Box Truck[33]
October 22, 2020 Semi-Truck[34]
October 9, 2020 Box Truck[35]
July 26, 2019 Semi Truck[36]
June 25, 2017 RV[37] The driver was issued a ticket
January 7, 2016 Semi-Truck[38] The driver issued 2 tickets.
December 30, 2013 Semi-Truck[39] The driver was issued multiple tickets.
September 11, 2010 Double Decker Mega-Bus[40] Four People were killed as a result of the crash. The driver was later found not guilty.[41]
January 17, 1992 Semi-Truck[42]

Efforts to improve the roadway

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Electronic road sign next to the bridge on NY-370 warning of its low height

After the 2010 Megabus crash, the NYSDOT installed an over-height vehicle detection system in the fall of 2011 in an attempt to more effectively enforce the commercial vehicle ban on the parkway and warn truckers to turn around.[43] Truck drivers who ignore the warning signs and subsequently crash into the bridge are now ticketed. A study that was undertaken after the fatal 2010 Megabus crash showed that it was not feasible to raise the bridge or deepen the roadway, as the bridge is also owned by CSX and current geotechnical engineering rules prohibit the roadway from being below the water level of Onondaga Lake.[44][45] CSX has stated that it is open to a project to raise the bridge if the state pays for it.[46]

Following several collisions in early 2023, the state has narrowed the parkway under the bridge to 1 lane in both directions in a continued effort to divert trucks. In addition, the exit ramp from Interstate 81 to access the parkway has been closed until further notice.[47]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Croyle, Johnathan (April 14, 2022). "The untold history of CNY's notorious Parkway bridge: Why it's so low, so strong and so stubborn". Syracuse.com. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "DOT shares exactly how many trucks have hit the bridge over Onondaga Lake Parkway". WSYR. February 9, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c A brief history of Syracuse's notorious Onondaga Lake Parkway Bridge. Syracuse.com. 2022. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2023 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ Buttacavoli, Abbey; Ostrander, Dale (March 29, 2023). "Another truck hits Onondaga Lake Parkway bridge, 9 days since last crash". WSTM. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  5. ^ Misiaszek, Emma (March 31, 2023). "For the second time this week, a truck has hit the Onondaga Lake Parkway bridge". WSTM. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  6. ^ "State DOT blames GPS for OLP bridge hits, suggests additional signage". WSYR. April 6, 2023. Archived from the original on April 7, 2023. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Phillips, Will (March 29, 2023). "3 Vehicles We'd Love to See Hit the Onondaga Lake Parkway Bridge". WIBX 950. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  8. ^ "Another driver ticketed for truck hitting bridge over Onondaga Lake Parkway". WSYR. February 8, 2023. Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  9. ^ O'Brien, John (July 9, 2013). "Megabus settles lawsuits over crash that killed 4 near Syracuse". The Post-Standard. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  10. ^ Moss, Jon (November 25, 2024). "Onondaga Lake Parkway reopens after tractor-trailer strikes railroad bridge". syracuse. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  11. ^ Misiaszek, Emma (August 28, 2024). "Ryder rental box truck strikes Parkway Bridge Wednesday afternoon". WSTM. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  12. ^ Hayes, Anne (May 17, 2024). "Truck reported to have hit Onondaga Lake Parkway bridge". syracuse. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  13. ^ Hayes, Anne; tcobb@syracuse.com, Timia Cobb | (April 26, 2024). "Update: Onondaga Lake Parkway reopens after box truck hits bridge; driver ticketed". syracuse. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  14. ^ Misiaszek, Emma (March 27, 2024). "Truck wedged underneath Onondaga Lake Parkway Bridge, driver issued 25 tickets". WSTM. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  15. ^ Misiaszek, Emma (December 8, 2023). "Box truck hits Onondaga Lake Parkway Bridge Friday afternoon". WSTM. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  16. ^ Misiaszek, Emma (November 8, 2023). "Box truck turned around by state police before hitting Onondaga Lake Parkway Bridge". WSTM. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  17. ^ Kirk, Rylee (October 3, 2023). "Update: Driver of truck that hit Onondaga Lake Parkway Bridge given 10 tickets". syracuse. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  18. ^ Donavan, Andrew (September 27, 2023). "Driver issued at least seven tickets for crashing box truck into railroad bridge over Onondaga Lake Parkway". Local SYR.
  19. ^ Stevenson, Darian (May 2, 2023). "Truck coming from Amazon warehouse hit parkway bridge, driver issued 14 tickets, deputies say". syracuse. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  20. ^ Stevenson, Darian; rkirk@syracuse.com, Rylee Kirk | (April 27, 2023). "Bus hit by car on Onondaga Lake Parkway was turning around to avoid low bridge, park rangers say". syracuse. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  21. ^ HopkinsHopkins (April 25, 2023). "New York State DOT Truck Hits Bridge It Was Going to Help Service". 101.5 WPDH. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  22. ^ Stevenson, Darian (March 29, 2023). "Tractor trailer hits bottom of Onondaga Lake Parkway bridge near Liverpool". syracuse. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  23. ^ Kirk, Rylee (March 20, 2023). "Update: Onondaga Lake Parkway reopens after tractor-trailer hits bridge near Liverpool". syracuse. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  24. ^ Stevenson, Darian (February 7, 2023). "Tractor trailer hits Onondaga Parkway bridge, tips sideways". syracuse. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  25. ^ Ashley (November 23, 2022). "Dash cam catches big rig striking notorious 10 foot 9 inch Onondaga Lake Parkway Bridge". CDLLife. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  26. ^ Stevenson, Darian (November 1, 2022). "Truck driver who crashed into Parkway bridge was following GPS directions, deputies say". syracuse. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  27. ^ Misiaszek, Emma (December 30, 2022). "Amazon truck forced to turn around on Onondaga Lake Parkway Friday". WSTM. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  28. ^ Lockman, JeanneTyler Moodee (June 13, 2022). "It happened again...Amazon Prime truck lodged under Onondaga Lake Parkway Bridge". WSTM. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  29. ^ McClendon, James (March 11, 2022). "Yes, another truck just hit the Onondaga Lake Parkway railroad bridge". syracuse. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  30. ^ Dunn, Jonathan (July 7, 2021). "Truck hits low bridge on Onondaga Lake Parkway for third time this year". WSTM. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  31. ^ Central, C. N. Y. (May 27, 2021). "For the second time in two days, a rental truck hit the Onondaga Lake Parkway bridge". WSTM. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  32. ^ Central, C. N. Y. (May 26, 2021). "Truck struck Onondaga Lake Parkway bridge, again!". WSTM. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  33. ^ House, Samantha (December 30, 2020). "Truck hits railroad bridge, again; Update: Onondaga Lake Parkway has reopened". syracuse. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  34. ^ House, Samantha (October 22, 2020). "Railroad bridge on Onondaga Lake Parkway hit once again by a tractor-trailer (photos)". syracuse. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  35. ^ Central, C. N. Y. (October 9, 2020). "Truck stuck under Onondaga Lake Parkway railroad bridge...again". WSTM. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  36. ^ Kielar, Mary (June 27, 2019). "State data shows 13 bridge crashes on Onondaga Lake Parkway since 2010". WSTM. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  37. ^ Marschner, Justine (June 25, 2017). "Florida man continues to drive after RV hits bridge on Onondaga Lake Parkway". WSTM. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  38. ^ Doran, Elizabeth (January 7, 2016). "Cicero man ticketed in Onondaga Lake Parkway truck/bridge accident". syracuse. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  39. ^ Crockett, Corey (December 30, 2013). "Tractor-trailer hits low bridge on Onondaga Lake Parkway". WSTM. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  40. ^ "At Least Four Killed in Bus Crash in Central NY". The Ledger. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  41. ^ Dowty, Douglass (February 28, 2012). "Update: Megabus crash survivors react to not-guilty verdict for driver". syracuse. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  42. ^ Tulloch, Katrina. "The Onondaga Parkway Bridge has been hit by trucks over and over and over and over in its 150-year history. Here's a look back on its iconic, chaotic tenure". syracuse. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  43. ^ Hall, Sarah (March 10, 2014). "Another truck hits Route 370 bridge". Eagle News Online. Archived from the original on September 17, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  44. ^ Onondaga Lake Parkway Traffic Safety Study (PDF) (Report). May 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  45. ^ "Trucks are still striking Onondaga Lake Parkway bridge despite DOT efforts, recent data shows". Chittenango News. February 9, 2023. Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  46. ^ Kilgannon, Trish (November 4, 2019). "How Does the DOT Plan to Make Onondaga Lake Parkway Safer?". spectrumlocalnews.com. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  47. ^ Doran, Elizabeth (August 29, 2023). "Onondaga Lake Parkway cut to two lanes near bridge; so far so good for traffic". syracuse. Archived from the original on September 2, 2023. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
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