After three trucks crashed in three days on the steep decent of Route 93 on Broad Mountain, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation says that trucks will be banned from that portion of the road within a year.
Three Truck Crashes On Broad Mountain In Three Days Raise Serious Concerns
The crashes all took place on the 9% drop on Route 93 in Nesquehoning between March 31 and April 2. Because of the steep grade, all trucks are required to stop at the top of the hill, switch to low gear, and maintain a speed of no more than 30 m.p.h.
On March 31, a truck hauling new Jeeps failed to do this and lost control of his rig, crashing onto its side and spilling the Jeeps. The truck driver and passenger were not seriously hurt.
Then, on April 1, a truck lost control at the the bottom of Broad Mountain and barreled into a shed. The truck driver survived the crash.
On April 2, a truck lost control and tried to use a runaway truck ramp, but the ramp didn’t stop the truck, which ended up crashing into trees and coming dangerously close to a cliff. The driver of that truck did sustain injuries.
Police plan on charging these three truck drivers following an investigation into the crashes.
Increased Signage, Truck Ban, Coming For Broad Mountain
For now, PennDOT has plans to place 87 “larger than normal” orange signs on and around Route 93 warning drivers to switch to low gear and obey the speed limit. There will also be increased commercial vehicle enforcement in the area.
PennDOT is reviewing detour routes and says that within 6 months to a year, only trucks making local deliveries will be allowed to descend Broad Mountain.
A dangerous stretch of road in Carbon County has caught the attention of state and local officials. https://t.co/mCXpCLdlGF
— WNEP (@WNEP) April 15, 2016
Sources:
The Standard Speaker
Pennsylvania Home Page
WNEP