The truck-eating bridge in Muizenberg known as ‘Bridget’ has been fitted with new technology to avoid chowing any more vehicles.
The City of Cape Town has installed an over height and length warning system to the Atlantic Bridge in Muizenberg, commonly known as “Bridget”
Muizenberg’s infamous truck-eating Atlantic Bridge, “Bridget,” has been gifted a over-height and length warning system.
It has become a known fact that “Bridget” claims victims regularly as some truck drivers misjudge the bridge’s low height.
The City of Cape Town’s Urban Mobility Directorate, through its section for Transport Network Technology (TNT), announced the installation of additional advanced warning systems for the bridge situated along Atlantic Road.
The new warning systems electronically detect vehicles that have a high likelihood to crash into the bridge.
“The new over-height and length warning system makes use of two Lidar units to measure the height and length of west-bound vehicles.
“Once a vehicle is found to fall into the set parameters, the system sends a signal to the signalised pedestrian crossing which then turns red to stop the vehicle that has exceeded the parameters.
“In addition, three in-ground red stop lane lights are activated and a Variable Message Sign (VMS) flashes a warning to the driver of the vehicle,” mayoral committee member for urban mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas said.
He said the system would hold the conditions until the target vehicle left the detection zone to provide the driver enough time to turn around and take an alternative route.
“In the past, vehicle crashes into Muizenberg’s railway bridge on Atlantic Road have continued unabated.
“We have had to come up with solutions to warn drivers of a possible or impending crash. The new VMS and Lidar detectors are now up and operational. I am urging drivers to please be aware of the new warning system, to pay close attention, and to take measures to avoid crashing into the bridge,” Quintas said.
[email protected]
IOL
