It’s just one of those Melbourne things, where you can always expect an unfortunate truck driver to hit the Montague Street Bridge. Dear old Monty is just 3 metres high, which doesn’t give a lot of clearance for taller vehicles. Hits are so common, that there’s even a website devoted to the classic question, How Many Days Has It Been Since Montague Street Bridge Has Been Hit? (The last collision was just 11 days ago if you were curious.) And despite two warning gantries, which were installed in 2016 to let drivers know if their vehicle is too high, crashes are still a regular occurrence. In another attempt to lower the likelihood and the severity of crashes, the speed limit around Montague Street Bridge will be reduced from 60 km/h to 40 km/h.
Reduced speed around the Montague Street Bridge
The reduced speed limit will apply to a 350-metre stretch between Munro Street and Buckhurst Street. This will give drivers even more time to think about the height of their vehicle as they approach the infamous bridge, giving them more time to stop. If they still end up hitting the bridge, the lower speed limit will also reduce the severity of the crash.
“Road safety is a shared responsibility,” said Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne. “Drivers should always check the height of their vehicle before travelling and obey road safety and warning signage.”
The new speed signage will be installed by crews in late May. The new speed limit will be legally enforceable once the signs are installed and uncovered. This speed reduction is being funded by the Transport Accident Commission.