Overheight bridge system coming to Milford

MILFORD — The Delaware Department of Transportation began construction this week of an overheight vehicle warning system on a CSX railroad bridge in Wilmington, with a similar device coming soon to Milford.

The equipment, also known as “clankers,” uses noise and visuals to warn drivers if their vehicle is too tall.

“The warning systems being installed at certain Delaware bridges include clankers and overhead signage and flashing beacons,” said Brittany Klecan, a community relations officer for DelDOT.

If a vehicle that is too high for the upcoming bridge attempts to proceed through the system, it will strike the clankers, causing noise and visual alerts, she added.

The Wilmington bridge, which spans Telegraph Road, will be the second in Delaware to have this device installed, the first being on Casho Mill Road in Newark in 2022.

Thirty-three oversized vehicles have struck the CSX bridge over the past 10 years, the Transportation Department reported.

In Milford, the clanker system will be put in place approaching the Mispillion River bridge on South Rehoboth Boulevard.

“The Mispillion River bridge has been struck seven times since 2005, with the most recent incidents occurring in December 2021 and December 2022,” Ms. Klecan said. “These repeated strikes led to significant damage and closures, including a six-month closure in 2023.”

An installation date for the Milford project had not been finalized, as of Wednesday, she added.

Transportation officials believe these overheight systems have resulted in a decrease in vehicles hitting bridges.

“These warning systems are expected to significantly reduce the number of overheight vehicle strikes on low-clearance bridges,” Ms. Klecan said, “thereby preventing potential accidents, reducing infrastructure damage and ensuring the safety of drivers, passengers and pedestrians.”

Many factors determine which spans would benefit from such equipment.

“Bridges are selected for these warning systems based on crash data and bridge height,” Ms. Klecan continued. “Bridges with a history of frequent overheight vehicle strikes are prioritized, especially where previous warning efforts have failed.”

For information, visit deldot.gov/about/news/index.shtml?dc=release&id=10288 .