LIRR: Bridge fine after hit by 18-wheeler, service resumes
An 18-wheeler struck a 103-year-old railroad bridge in Westbury on Friday, July 28, 2017. Credit: John Scalesi
A 103-year-old railroad bridge in Westbury was not damaged on Friday shortly before noon when it was struck yet again, this time by an 18-wheeler, officials said.
This allowed the Long Island Rail Road to resume regular service, a spokesman for the Long Island Rail Road said by email.
The truck collided with the notoriously low bridge, located at Post Avenue, at about 11:28 a.m., and it was removed 62 minutes later, the spokesman said.
“We inspected the bridge and cleared it for regular service at 12:58 p.m.,” he said.
Two trains were delayed about 15 minutes after the crash because the railroad restricted their speed, he said.
The height of the bridge, which has a clearance of just 11 feet, 10 inches, will be raised 2 feet, 2 inches in a project planned for the autumn, officials said.
The railroad has said the century-old bridge gets struck, on average, between five and nine times a year.
Sarra Sounds Off, Season 3, Ep 4: Top football teams in action, fantasy update and plays of the week Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Nassau Conference II football matchup between Calhoun at Carey, plus the comeback story of New Hyde Park's Gabriel Peter, an update on the high school fantasy football standings and the plays of the week.
Sarra Sounds Off, Season 3, Ep 4: Top football teams in action, fantasy update and plays of the week Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Nassau Conference II football matchup between Calhoun at Carey, plus the comeback story of New Hyde Park's Gabriel Peter, an update on the high school fantasy football standings and the plays of the week.
