A LONG-ANTICIPATED electronic height detection gantry has now finally been installed on the infamously crash-prone Montague Street bridge in South Melbourne.

The street was closed last night between Buckhurst and Gladstone streets as workers installed the height warning system for the three-metre high bridge.

Another gantry will be installed on the other side of the road over the weekend.

It is hoped the upgrade will prevent drivers from unwittingly smashing into the low bridge — its height being notoriously difficult to gauge, causing 102 smashes in the past six years.

media_camera A warning gantry has been installed on Montague Street in the lead up to the infamous bridge. Picture: Hamish Blair

media_camera The warning gantry comes after more than 100 vehicles have crashed into the bridge. Picture: Hamish Blair

VicRoads initially said upgrades would be completed by the end of March, before delaying it to the end of May.

VicRoads Acting Regional Director Metro North West David Teague said action was taken after a Ballarat Gold Bus crashed into the bridge, causing its roof to rip off and injuring several of its passengers in February.

“Work started off-site in March to build new height detection gantries that will be installed on either approach to the bridge,” Mr Teague said.

media_camera Montague Street was closed overnight while the works took place. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

media_camera Works on installing the gantry began about 5am. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

media_camera A bus had its top ripped off when it crashed into the bridge in February. Picture: Hamish Blair

“These will alert drivers of over-height vehicles and will significantly reduce bridge strikes.”

After the February crash many locals who witnessed the dramatic scene, called for new safety precautions to finally put a stop to the regular smashes.

The bridge is so well-known for being hit by trucks and vans, it even has its own Twitter account, where its daily misadventures are posted.