It can happen several times a year in downtown Moncton… a truck or an RV gets stuck under the CN Rail subway.
City staff are recommending an overheight warning system which would cost about $180,000.
The system consists of illuminated warning signage and infrared sensors which would be placed in advance of the bridge structure on the three main approaches: eastbound Main Street, westbound Main Street and northbound Foundry Street.
The sensors would detect an overheight vehicle, triggering flashing lights on warning signs which are located to allow vehicles to turn onto a side street without creating a traffic jam.
During the discussion at the Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, councillor Daniel Bourgeois suggested the city impose fines on drivers who hit the underpass.
“If our taxes are paying for police who have to be mobilized for someone’s mistake, why can’t we at least recoup some of the costs,” he questioned.
City general manager Jack MacDonald said it’s certainly something that city staff can look into and bring back to council in the future.
Councillor Susan Edgett wondered if the system would even be effective and also noted how expensive it was.
MacDonald was urged by Councillor Paul Richard to contact CN Rail since it owns the underpass.
“We as staff have gone as high up of the CN food chain as we can go – in terms of our level – but that’s not to say that we can’t write a letter on behalf of council asking them for contributions,” added MacDonald.
Council decided to postpone the issue for a later date as city staff approach CN again.
