Can Opener Bridge

Duh nuh.

Duh nuh duh nuh duh nuh duh nuh DUUUUUUUUH!

Is it a shark? No, it’s even scarier--a low height bridge that large trucks try to drive under that leads to their doom. A well-known Durham Landmark, the Can Opener Bridge has its own dedicated website, a food truck park, and now finally, bumper stickers!

What’s so special about the Can Opener Bridge?

Officially known as the Norfolk Southern–Gregson Street Overpass, this unassuming railroad bridge has earned its nickname by repeatedly tearing the tops off trucks, RVs, and buses that dare to pass under when they shouldn’t. To see some of the damage inflicted, check out the videos on 11foot8.com, a website by Jürgen Henn.

Why is this bridge so deadly (to tall vehicles)?

The bridge was constructed in 1940 (though the design dates back to the 1920s) as part of Durham’s railroad infrastructure, carrying freight and Amtrak trains over South Gregson Street. Back in the 1940s, an 11 feet 8 inch clearance was acceptable, but by the 1970s modern trucks had grown to a height of 13 feet 6 inches. That mismatch has led to countless mishaps over the decades.

The bridge was never legally required to be rebuilt to modern height standards. Drivers routinely ignored the 11’8” clearance signs, and their vehicles suffered. The bridge’s dramatic reputation earned it nicknames like “Gregson Street Guillotine” and “the Can Opener.”

A Local Hero Captures the Carnage

Enter Jürgen Henn, a nearby office worker who installed cameras in 2008 to monitor collisions at the bridge. Since then, he’s captured more than 180 impacts (as of recent counts) and published the video highlights on his website, 11foot8.com.

You can also find a documentary about the bridge called OVERHEIGHT MUST TURN from Hunter Atkins on Vimeo.

Moving from 11’8” to 12’4”... does nothing

Over the years, Durham and the railroad have tried various fixes. A heavy crash-beam was installed to protect the bridge structure (though it does nothing to spare a too-tall vehicle). In 2016, engineers added a sensor-triggered traffic signal--when an overheight vehicle approaches, a sign saying, “Overheight Must Turn” lights up. Maybe it’s the weird phrasing, maybe it’s still too easy to ignore. Either way, collisions continue to occur.

Finally, in October 2019, the overpass was raised by 8 inches to a new clearance of 12 feet 4 inches in an attempt to reduce damage and improve safety. However, the bridge remains well below typical modern standards, which are well over 13 feet, so stuck trucks and roof shredding continue to occur.

Why Can’t They Raise the Height More?

A study in 2014 showed that despite the many collisions with this too-low bridge, only 3 minor injuries have occurred. So it’s just not worth the money and time investment to complete a major renovation, which would involve regrading nearby crossings, moving utilities, and closing down the intersection for some period of time.

Sit Back and Relax to the Shrieking Sounds of Impact

Since the bridge will remain and continue to give tall vehicles a close shave, why not enjoy it? Perhaps you’ll hear a collision while you enjoy some food at the Can Opener food park, or relax in the comfort of your own home and read about the latest victim while you scroll Reddit’s bullcity subreddit. And don’t forget to show your Durham pride with a Can Opener bumper sticker or magnet.