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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend February 16, 2006 Since you asked Trucks’ clearance is just fine When traveling the freeways I see large semi-trucks going under the overpasses. It appears that they have only 2 or 3 inches of clearance. Is this because of the angle of sight? I know trucks and overpasses have different heights, but what is the average clearance? — Vic M., Rogue River Appearances can be deceiving, Vic. According to Oregon Department of Transportation District Manager John Vial, what looks to you like mere inches is actually a couple feet of clearance in most cases. "It’s an optical illusion," says Vial. Most semi-trucks have a maximum height of 13-14 feet. Any higher and the operator must carry a special permit, says Vial. Advertisement Conversely, the lowest bridge on Interstate 5 in our area is 16 feet 4 inches from the highway below it, he says. Seventeen feet is the current federal standard for clearance on new bridges. ODOT requires an additional six inches of height on new bridges, Vial adds. However, once one is off the interstate, there are all sorts of short-height bridges, Vial says. Hence the truck-free zones and height warnings one often sees posted on bridges crossing city streets or smaller highways. Another caveat to his "room to spare" comments is when mobile homes are taken via trailer to their new locations, says Vial. "In that case, there are often only 3 or 4 inches’ clearance," says Vial. Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by e-mail to Since you asked ">[email protected] . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Absinthe Supply Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Debt Consolidation California Casinos Generic Viagra Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Hammocks Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada King of Spirits Advertisement s Advertisement