Authorities say an overpass on a major Queensland highway that was closed after a truck carrying part of a wind turbine slammed into it could reopen within days.
The Warrego Highway – west of Brisbane – was thrown into chaos on Friday morning after the bridge strike, which left the turbine part being carried by the truck wedged underneath the Mount Crosby Road overpass at North Tivoli.
The turbine has since been removed and westbound lanes of the highway reopened, but concerns lingered about when the overpass would be back to full capacity.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said on Saturday that the incident was having a “major impact” for residents and freighting companies moving through the state’s southeast, and that the closure of the overpass created a 30-minute detour.
“There’s a lot of anxiety in our community about how long it’s going to take,” she said as per 9News.
“We have seen other major accidents like this take over a year to be completed, so we’re very keen to hear from (the Department of Transport and Main Roads).”
The government body soon able to alleviate these fears, confirming to NewsWire that the overpass would reopen before the end of the week on their current timeline.
“The Mount Crosby Road overpass remains closed to traffic, with structural assessments and bridge repairs ongoing,” a TMR spokesperson said.
“Works are continuing to safely reopen part of the overpass to traffic as soon as possible, which may involve speed and load restrictions being put in place, pending the results of the structural assessment.
“This timeline remains dependent on the outcome of structural assessments, weather, safety requirements and construction conditions.
“The public can continue to expect delays, with traffic control in place and warning signs active across the advanced notification network.”
Ms Harding has since thanked TMR, police, and Ipswich council workers for their efforts since the bridge strike.
“It took 41 hours from bridge strike to the Warrego opening,” she said.
“TMR will continue to work on repairing the Mount Crosby Road overpass, which remains closed, with at least a partial access opening late this week.”
The truck driver, a man in his 50s, was assessed by paramedics at the scene.
He was uninjured and has since been taken to Ipswich Hospital for further assessment.
Police believe the truck may have failed to follow escorting vehicles up an offramp to go around the Mount Crosby overpass, and instead ploughed into the overhead bridge.
