Westwood, MA - In 2014, 15 crashes were reported at the bridge, which sits 10 feet 6 inches from the ground. That included a week with two crashes. The most memorable accident, Hoban said, involved a truck from Maine carrying $100,000 worth of lobsters. Upon impact, the crustaceans were flung pell-mell to the pavement, and a small fire broke out in the truck cab. The crash caused severe delays for morning commuters on the Franklin MBTA commuter rail line, which runs over the bridge.So far this year, there have only been four crashes. It's below the historical average," Hoban said.
The decrease is attributable in part to the town's Department of Public Works installing additional signs on the approaches to the bridge. Crews have also added a reflective yellow strip and a new warning sign to the overpass itself to alert truck drivers about its low height.MBTA officials said that a design firm is in the process of developing a report that will outline three bridge design alternatives.
Once complete, the T will recommend one of the designs to Westwood town officials. The design phase will take up to a year or more, but the public will have an opportunity to comment and provide feedback on the proposal once complete."The other thing that was proposed was thecidea of putting in bars before the bridge that will make a noise when you hit them, like they have on Storrow Drive," Hoban said. "But the neighbors weren't too thrilled about having a bell that goes off all of the time."
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