Following two oversize load crashes that led to partial bridge collapses, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued a Safety Alert to remind motor carriers of the importance of obtaining permits and carefully reviewing routes before transporting oversize loads.

The Safety Alert, “The Impact of Oversize Loads on Our Nation’s Bridges,” cites the May 2013 crash in which a truck transporting an oversize load struck the Interstate 5 Skagit River Bridge near Mount Vernon, Wash., resulting in the collapse of a bridge span. It also cites the March 2015 crash in Salado, Texas, involving a truck carrying an oversize load on Interstate 35 that struck concrete bridge beams of an overhead highway bridge. The beams collapsed and fell into the travel lanes of the interstate, resulting in one motorist fatality and three injuries.

“When transporting oversize loads, planning ahead is critical,” said NTSB Chairman Christopher Hart, “Both carriers and permitting authorities need to do their part to ensure the safe transport of oversize loads.”

The NTSB Safety Alert provides several tips that carriers and permitting authorities can use to ensure that oversize loads are transported safely. To see this and other NTSB Safety Alerts, click here.