DURHAM -- NCDOT officials hope new technology will put an end to the nickname of Durham's railroad bridge in Brightleaf Square.
Some have called it the city's "can opener" bridge. The moniker comes from the many trucks that have crashed into the bridge because they were too tall.
"It's disconcerting. It's really loud. And you almost fall out of your chair when a big crash happens," said IT Analyst Jurgen Henn, who works nearby. He installed surveillance cameras to track the number of crashes. He even created a popular website to post the videos.
NCDOT officials have tried everything to put a stop to the problem. They have installed signs, flashing lights and installed a steel bar barrier to keep trucks from hitting the actual bridge.
Now, crews are installing a new warning sensor. When an over-sized truck approaches the bridge, the traffic light will turn red and an overhead warning sign will be activated.
"So when they do come to a stop, they'll be a sign that is lit up, telling them that an over-height vehicle has been detected and they need to turn," said John Sandor with NCDOT.
The sensor will cost about $130,000 and is set to be fully operational by next week. A similar sensor is going up at another bridge in downtown Durham.
Sandor says NCDOT officials have considered raising the bridge or lowering the road but says either option is very expensive at this point.