AUGUST ‘STORROWING’ SPREE
34 trucks stuck on Storrow last month
In one of Boston’s most enduring traditions, 34 trucks were stuck or almost stuck under low bridges on Storrow Drive during the most popular lease turnover and dorm move-in time, according to a count by popular Twitter account Only in Boston.
The official count by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation shows that only three trucks struck a bridge or bridge overhead structure in August on Storrow Drive or Soldiers Field Road in Boston, or Memorial Drive in Cambridge.
Only in Boston’s count is likely higher because it includes both actual “Storrowings,” when trucks got stuck under the low bridges, and would-be Storrowings, where truck drivers had to back out of Storrow to avoid striking a bridge, often aided by Massachusetts State Police troopers.
Only in Boston also tracked the daily count from August 1 to August 23, and found a Storrowing every day in that range except one. On two days, it happened twice, and on two days, it happened three times, in a “hat trick” as the account called it.
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation issued several social media reminders about the low clearance heights, which can be 9 feet in spots, and also increased signage around entry points to the low-clearance roads.
The department also reached out to truck rental companies, moving companies and universities to warn of the dangers of Storrowing.
“When renting a moving vehicle, drivers should check the height of their box-truck and height restrictions along the Boston area river roads to avoid being Storrowed,” said DCR Commissioner Jim Montgomery in a statement. “It is important for us all to remember that many parkways cannot accommodate moving trucks, and we are incredibly fortunate the last several years to have had no serious injuries reported and no structural damage done to any of the bridges or overpasses.”
A spokesperson from the Cambridge Police Department, home to Memorial Drive, reminded movers to be mindful of the many modes of transportation that share the roads in the city.
“For those that are moving in, be respectful of particularly our bicyclists, and pedestrians, so not blocking crosswalks, staying out of the bike lanes, and being mindful of in particular, our pedestrians and bicyclists,” he said.
He added that the traffic issues reported in the city so far were caused by the heavy rains from Hurricane Ida’s remnants earlier this month, rather than moving issues.
Although Bostonians often wonder why the bridge heights aren’t raised or roads closed during this time of year on these streets, MIT faculty member and former Secretary of Transportation Jim Aloisi had a simpler answer.
“Some truck drivers drive too fast and pay no attention to signs or road rules,” he said in an email. “It’s not more complicated than that.”