Billet load shifts, traffic jam affects entire city.

 

Improper load securement is a hidden hazard in our industry. Here is a recent incident that affected a local community.

Chaos for the city's road system on Holy Thursday. In the late afternoon of today, in fact, a truck with about 240 quintals of aluminum, following a shift of the load, tilted on the Gatto Viaduct, at the height of Villa Agata, triggering the immediate closure of the artery for safety reasons.

The inconveniences

Heavy vehicles heading for the port were diverted, pouring between the Canalone and the city center. In a few minutes congested traffic, long queues and slowdowns up to via Benedetto Croce. To make the situation worse, the intense flow of vehicles linked to the travel of the Easter holidays. The operations for the removal of the vehicle and the restoration of circulation were long.

The intervention

On the spot, a team of the Fire Brigade of the Salerno Command intervened in via Alfonso Gatto to secure the area. as well as 13 operational units which, in a first phase, provided for the stabilization of the truck. Subsequently, with the help of a crane, the load was transferred to another specially intervened articulated vehicle, thus allowing the complete restoration of safety conditions.

To allow the operations to be carried out in complete safety, it was necessary to temporarily close the road network in the affected section. The reopening to traffic took place only around 9 pm, initially on a single carriageway with alternating one-way. The intervention took place without consequences for people.

We are thankful no one was injured in this incident. But as we all know well the lack of injuries is unusual. The photos are interesting showing the aftermath of the load tilting. The news article does not state if the trucker received a ticket and fine for this incident.

We chose to include the location information as it illustrates how big of an issue this was for the city that it occurred in. Please note that the heavy traffic could have had dire circumstances if an emergency occurred resulting in an ambulance not being able to move quickly. 

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