by "Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
Published 02/15/2017 at 12:00
by "Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
Published 02/15/2017 at 12:00
Tags: winter driving
; snow ramps
; driving
; safety
; discussion
STARS: 2
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A few weeks ago, Wisconsin driver Chris Weber lost control during icy conditions on Milwaukee’s Hoan Bridge . But instead of hitting other cars or smashing into the guardrail, his truck went up and OVER the side, thanks to a “ramp” of accumulated snow that had been plowed into the shoulder area.
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After clearing the short railing, the Ford Ranger fell some 30-40 feet to the ground below. The impact killed the driver, leaving locals debating about barrier heights, bridge closure procedures, and even snow removal practices.
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Snow ramps are not a new phenomenon. As plow trucks clear the travel lanes, snow is pushed aside into the shoulder area. For most surface roadways, this roadside area is merely a place where one could get stuck. But a nearby barrier or wall can allow plowed snow to form a slope. If the snow reaches high enough, you have yourself a ramp.
The snow is already partially compressed from the force of the plowing, which gives vehicles something to climb instead of pushing through a bunch of powder and hitting the wall. Is also takes a long time to melt, often re-freezing multiple times into a more solid mound.
Bridges present an additional layer of potential hazard. As explained in the video below, they suffer from not being insulated by the ground, and can freeze long before surface roads do.
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So please, fellow Oppos, take care out there, and think twice before taking it “off any sweet jumps”.
"SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie" (sidewaysondirt)
02/15/2017 at 12:03, STARS: 0
I just saw the word ramp, went straight to sick yumps in my mind, and now wonder why they don’t make these on purpose.
"Rico" (ricorich)
02/15/2017 at 12:05, STARS: 0
Wow how come he was in that lane, it looks like barely anyone is driving in that lane for a reason.
"OPPOsaurus WRX" (opposaurus)
02/15/2017 at 12:08, STARS: 0
thats a real downer
"XJDano" (xjdano)
02/15/2017 at 12:18, STARS: 0
This happened just outside of StLouis over the Meremac River. Two high schoolers hit ice on the bridge then up and over the wall into the river. They drowned.
They then closed the highway and removed the ramps with a front loader, into the river.
"WiscoProud" (wiscoproud)
02/15/2017 at 14:30, STARS: 0
I drive on the Hoan on occasion and can’t imagine how terrifying that would be. Although on the Hoan, falling “only” 30-40' would be considered lucky, peak clearance is 120'
"gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee" (gogmorgo)
02/15/2017 at 17:52, STARS: 1
This happened in Saskatoon while I was living there a few years ago. The girl involved lived though, as somehow her car didn’t break through the river ice, just shattered it and bounced a bit, probably what saved her, the deflection of the ice vs frozen ground. The car did eventually fall through, but not before she was able to drag herself out and away.
There was a follow-up story that summer because the insurance company was suing the city for the cost of the recovery (just recovery, not vehicle value), something like $20,000, because of course it got swept under the ice and didn’t stay put and was very difficult to find. They were fine with value for the car, as they said it would be written off after hitting the barrier regardless, but it was the city’s fault for building the ramp.