Old Bridge Takes One Last Shot

Police have recorded what they believe was the last of countless accidents that occurred over the years when too-tall trucks struck the low-clearance Housatonic Railroad bridge over Church Hill Road.

The collision took place on June 18, several days before the old 12-foot, 7-inch clearance railroad bridge was removed and replaced with a new higher span.

In that accident, trucker Guy Nelson, 48, of Medford, Wis., was driving a 1997 Volvo tractor that was hauling a 1996 Great Dane trailer.

At about 5:40 pm, the westward trucker’s trailer struck the bottom of the low-clearance bridge.

Nelson was not injured, but police issued him an infraction ticket for not obeying low-clearance warning signs and markings.