Comment 95377

By Kevin Love (anonymous) | Posted November 30, 2013 at 19:32:51 in reply to Comment 95359

My fundamental problem with the Red Bridge is the failure to apply the CROW traffic design engineering standard. This shows up in a whole host of technical problems ranging from turn radii and sight lines on downhill stretches to planting trees right next to the approach path.

This causes serious safety issues when the trees grow up and their roots start bucking up the roadbed.

There is supposed to be a minimum of two metres clear space at roadside. This allows people to see around corners and also means that if someone inadvertently runs off the road they do not immediately crash into a tree. It also allows room for the tree roots to grow without heaving up the roadbed.

There are all kinds of other issues as well. Probably the worse stretch is the East side of the bridge where we find:

1. An unmarked railway crossing. Not even a buckboard "Railway Crossing" sign.
2. A hairpin turn at that railway crossing.
3. The road fails to cross the rails at a right angle, but at a highly acute angle.
4. The railway crossing is at the bottom of the hill coming off the bridge.

This leads to a lethal trap where someone is traveling at a high rate of speed due to going down a steep hill, comes upon the railway unexpectedly due to the total lack of railway crossing signs, and is thrown into a crash due to the hairpin turn and crossing the rails at an acute angle, not a right angle.

This section of road is also not properly cleared of snow and ice in the winter. It also has trees planted right next to it so their roots will be heaving up the road surface in 10-15 years.

Viciously, dangerously unsafe. It would be difficult for me to design a more dangerous, lethal trap if I set my mind to it.

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