LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A railroad underpass on South Third Street near the University of Louisville campus has obliterated the tops of countless semitrucks over the years, so much so that it has been dubbed "The Can Opener" on social media.
"The Can Opener" has a clearance of 12 feet on one side and 11 feet, 8 inches on the other. Those height restrictions are noted in small white letters and numbers against the Cardinal red underpass. There are also two signs near the intersection of South Third Street and Winkler Avenue warning of low clearance ahead.
That hasn't stopped truck drivers from pressing their luck.
U of L student Anthony Crawford said he has seen many unfortunate scenarios for the drivers, but all the same fate.
"There’s also been times where a truck will attempt to pull in and kind of realized that they’ve made a mistake," he said.
The only safe bet this March https://t.co/yJPi1aofOM
— The Can Opener (@3rdstviaduct) March 12, 2021
On Wednesday, Gov. Andy Beshear said the state will provide funds to address the underpass' height restrictions.
A portion of a $23 million statewide project to improve highway safety near public schools will go toward "the installation of a height detection warning that flashes lights and a digital message to warn truck drivers if their vehicle won’t clear the underpass that has been the site of previous truck crashes," according to a news release from the governor's office.
Pictured: an LMPD cruiser blocks traffic after a semi truck that became stuck under the railroad crossing at Third and Winkler near the University of Louisville on March 12, 2021.
The news release did not specify which underpass would be addressed, but Naitore Djigbenou with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet confirmed to WDRB News that funding will go toward "The Can Opener," which runs between Winkler Avenue and the Reynolds Loft Apartments.
Daniel Cissel, another U of L student and Louisville native, said raising the underpass would be a good idea.
"There’s really only one sign before they say it’s a low clearance and they have to get over two lanes to get out, and it’s not really easy for anyone to do," Cissel said. "If they raise it a little bit. It will definitely save people a lot of money."
The governor's office did not provide a timeline for completing the project but said the funding will be doled out "over the next two years" toward nearly 70 safety improvement projects across 44 counties. To see a full list of the projects, click here.
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