One Year Later: No More Century Semi Rollover Accidents

June 26, 2017

It has been just over a year since there has been a semi-truck rollover on North Century Boulevard at Jackson Street, perhaps thanks in part to temporary fixes by the Florida Department of Transportation.

On June 13 of last year, a semi truck hauling logs overturned in the area, taking out a utility pole.  The truck driver was cited for careless driving. Eight days later, another semi-truck overturned in the same location. The driver of the truck, which was hauling cotton, was also cited for careless driving. Similar accidents of the past several years have caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage to utilities, including power and a sewage lift station.

Then-mayor Freddie McCall met onsite with Florida Department of Transportation engineers last June. The engineers agreed that the slope and design of the roadway in the curve is such that trucks in the outer lane have a difficult time navigating the curve at the posted speed limit.

The engineer recommended flashing beacon signs warning trucks of the tipping hazard and instructing them to use the inner-lane. Those signs were installed by last October.

Virgie Bowen of the Florida Department of Transportation recently told the Century Town Council that the safety issues are still being addressed, but she could not provide a timetable for work to change the road elevation. She any long term solutions are still being studied.

Pictured above and below: Previous semi truck rollovers on Highway 29 at Jackson Street in Century. Pictured bottom: This photo demonstrates that amount of lean on a semi truck passing through the area just below the speed limit. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

3 Responses to “One Year Later: No More Century Semi Rollover Accidents”

  1. Nana of 16 on June 26th, 2017 8:22 am

    I drive a F-150 and that curve is dangerous for me to navigate if a vehicle is sandwiched in beside me in the inside lane. There is NO negotiating of any movement what so ever. THANK YOU FDOT and the Town of Century for taking action to correct this and yes, PLEASE override those drivers records for the citations issued, a refund of fines would be nice too but at least get that charge off of their driving records.

  2. Brent on June 26th, 2017 8:22 am

    Now if only the sign had the truck rolling over in the correct direction……

  3. Concerned on June 26th, 2017 6:09 am

    Glad to hear the town realizes it’s not always the drivers fault. Were the two pour drivers ever excused from their reckless driving citations? That should have been the first thing the town did was get those off their records. As truck drivers those charges could kill their livelihood knowing they weren’t driving wreckless. Hope Century takes care of the redesign and paving issue soon before someone is killed.