Bridge strikes, or overhead collisions involving vehicles and overpasses, have caused significant disruption to Georgia’s transportation network over the past decade. Between 2015 and 2025, Georgia has recorded 16 such incidents, with recent high-profile collisions underscoring the importance of this campaign.
In one notable case, an excavator traveling on a trailer struck the Chatham Parkway bridge overpass on I-16 in July 2024. The impact severely damaged the structure, resulting in major travel delays and lane closures during the lengthy repair process. The incident also delayed a pre-scheduled project to raise the overpass, which had been set for summer 2024. After months of repair and rescheduling, the bridge finally reopened on July 18, 2025.
That event followed an even more dramatic collision in July 2021, when a truck hauling equipment on I-16 in Treutlen County struck the State Route (SR) 86 overpass. The force of the impact shifted the bridge by six feet, necessitating a full demolition and rebuild by Georgia DOT. The new overpass opened in July 2022 at a cost of approximately $3.6 million.
“Considering the significant costs associated with damage to the state’s transportation infrastructure, the disruption to traffic, and the safety risks to the public, first responders and our employees, bridge strikes are a major concern for the department,” said Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry, P.E. “These types of crashes are avoidable, and this public awareness campaign is part of our ongoing effort to educate all motorists on best practices for safe driving.”
The “Check Your Height, Know It’s Right” campaign targets all classes of drivers, from those holding commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to individuals operating leased delivery trucks, moving vans, or recreational vehicles. Its core message is simple but vital: Know your vehicle’s height, and never assume it will fit under a bridge unless verified by posted signage.
Motorists are reminded that navigation apps and GPS systems do not typically display bridge height restrictions. Instead, Georgia DOT urges drivers to observe and comply with all road signs indicating height clearances, especially when operating tall vehicles or hauling elevated loads.
This new safety initiative is being implemented in coordination with The Eastern Transportation Coalition, a multi-state alliance of 19 states and the District of Columbia working to improve transportation safety and infrastructure across the eastern U.S.
Through strategic messaging, community outreach, and interagency collaboration, Georgia DOT hopes the “Check Your Height, Know It’s Right” campaign will reduce the frequency of bridge strikes—and ultimately keep Georgia’s roadways safer and more efficient for all travelers.
