Press Release  Ahead of Boston Move-In Day, DCR Announces the Expansion of ‘Cars Only’ Signs Pilot Program and Launches New Campaign to Prevent “Storrowing”

Boston — In preparation for Move-In Day in Greater Boston, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) today announced it has expanded its pilot program for new, more visible, and durable “Cars Only” signs. These signs warn truck and van drivers of the low bridge clearances on Storrow Drive, Soldiers Field Road, and Memorial Drive. DCR is also kicking off its annual public awareness campaign on social media to ensure college students and new residents moving into the city this week know they cannot drive large trucks on these roadways when moving into dormitories, apartments and other living spaces.   

This year, DCR is working in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the Massachusetts State Police (MSP) to warn drivers that these roadways are restricted to “cars only” and have height restrictions as low as nine feet. Trucks, vans, and box trucks exceeding this height limit risk getting stuck under the overpasses, a situation commonly referred to as “storrowing.” Drivers are advised to seek alternative routes, including Beacon Street, Commonwealth Avenue, and the Massachusetts Turnpike. All bridges east of the Eliot Bridge – including the BU Bridge, Harvard Bridge, Longfellow Bridge, Western Avenue Bridge, River Street Bridge, and Anderson Bridge - are open to trucks.  

“As we approach Move-In Day in Boston, DCR is expanding our efforts to warn the tens of thousands of students and new residents moving into the city of the low bridge clearances along our river roads,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “We’ve all seen what happens when moving trucks miss those warning signs – roofs of trucks get ripped off and traffic backs up. We hope our new, more durable signage and a creative social media campaign prevent damage to our bridges and moving trucks while ensuring a safe and hassle-free experience for everyone.” 

In advance of Move-In Day last year, DCR installed a new “CARS ONLY” sign, on David G. Mugar Way with high-visibility yellow aluminum and retroreflective sheeting, designed to be more visible and durable, especially in harsh weather conditions. The new signs proved strong after surviving a high-speed run-in with an overweight truck and several other incidents. Because of this, DCR moved to install these new signs on Soldiers Field Road by the North Harvard bridge and Memorial Drive at Wadsworth Street. The signs include an extra four inches of rubber at the bottom for initial contact with over-height vehicles and an improved hanging design to withstand high winds. Later this fall, DCR will evaluate the effectiveness of these signs, and if they prove to be successful, DCR will replace approximately 50 remaining older signs with this new version. 

“Collisions with bridges and over-height vehicles are both damaging to infrastructure and dangerous for motorists,” said MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “In collaboration with DCR and State Police, MassDOT is reminding drivers of moving trucks and other over-height vehicles to be aware of their vehicle's size and avoid roads with posted clearance limits, particularly Storrow Drive, Soldiers Field Road, and Memorial Drive.” 

Each year, Massachusetts State Police Troopers respond to multiple instances of trucks that either become stuck under bridges on the river roads and other state parkways or drivers who realize their trucks will not fit and need to be slowly backed out of the overpass. DCR, MSP, and MassDOT urge anyone renting a truck for their move into the Boston area to check whether bridges on their route of travel can accommodate the height of their vehicle, to seek alternative routes if not, and to observe height information on posted signage and electronic message boards. The agencies also want to remind drivers that their GPS or direction app doesn’t know they are driving a truck and to explore apps specifically for trucks, like SmartTruckRoute, which accounts for bigger vehicles.     

“As we anticipate the start of school and another moving season, the Massachusetts State Police remain committed to the safety of movers and their families, residents, visitors, and the public. We're asking everyone to make a travel plan before moving day, verify that your travel route can accommodate the height of your vehicle, and please comply with road signs,” MSP Colonel John Mawn said. "Storrowing is not only dangerous, it creates a major inconvenience for others, interrupts commerce, and is very costly.  We work closely with local, state, and university partners to prevent these hazards. On behalf of the dedicated woman and men of the State Police, I welcome the students and professionals pursuing exciting opportunities across Massachusetts. Thank you in advance for enriching our State with your enthusiasm, knowledge, and skills.”  

Building on the success of last year's social media campaign, which led to zero "storrowing" incidents during Move-In weekend, DCR is rolling out new creative and engaging content this week. By leveraging humor, memes, and timely reminders, DCR aims to keep this streak alive, ensuring that new residents and students are well-informed about the risks of driving oversized vehicles on certain parkways. This year's campaign continues to make safety memorable and stress-free, turning what could be a chaotic Move-In day into a smooth and well-informed experience. 

Leading up to Move-In Day on Sunday, September 1, 2024, state agencies will deploy increased signage and variable message boards along the parkways to warn of height restrictions and no parking zones where necessary. DCR is also collaborating with educational institutions to share information and raise awareness through social media channels until September 3. Follow DCR on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Threads, and YouTube at @MassDCR for the latest updates. 

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