The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has installed a series of safety improvements near Giant’s Despair in an attempt to prevent further trucker’s deaths along the steep grade.
The changes were announced this week and include new signs with flashing lights on Laurel Run Road, warning truck drivers to take Pine Run Road instead. Other signs making Pine Run Road easier to find have also been installed, along with a chime system to alert drivers that they are too tall. Other improved safety measures include upgraded guardrails, improved tree trimming for better visibility, and road maintenance.
Commercial truck driver dies after rolling over on Giants Despair
PennDOT also plans to resurface Laurel Run Road and repaint the pavement with turn arrows to direct truckers to a safer route. Trucks larger than 21,000 pounds have been banned on the roadway for many years , but truckers following their GPS or looking for shortcuts have continued to use the winding, steep road, sometimes with deadly results, reported The Citizens’ Voice .