Westwood Wants State To Look At Accident-Prone Bridge
WESTWOOD (CBS) – A surveillance camera captured what has become an all too familiar sight in Westwood.
On Thursday a box truck drove towards the East Street bridge, which has a 10.5-foot height restriction. Then came the impact from the truck, which was over 12 feet tall.
Video released on Friday shows the roof of the empty food delivery truck hit the bridge, smashing it into pieces. Impact nearly sent the truck completely airborne as video shows two of its wheels left the road.
"This happens all the time," said resident Sheila Kelly.
Thursday's crash happened at an inopportune time as it came during rush hour on an already congested road.
"When we hear the bridge is tied up we just seek alternate routes--so we're used to it," said resident Jill Kelly.
Westwood natives have become used to the scene because of how frequently the bridge is hit.
This is the fifth time this year a truck has struck the bridge.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, 16 trucks met a similar fate last year as well.
"They've been saying for years they're going to fix it," said Sheila Kelly.
Residents say they've seen everything from lobster to Twinkies scattered throughout the streets after trucks failed to make it under the bridge.
The driver of the truck was cited for failure to follow signs.
Town officials told WBZ-TV's Nicole Jacobs the state will soon begin surveying the area and developing a plan to fix the bridge before starting construction.
Surveillance Video Shows Truck Hitting Bridge