Major update on Mt Crosby Rd overpass stuck by wind turbine tower at North Tivoli
The Warrego Hwy overpass that was struck by a truck carrying a wind turbine tower on Friday has reopened, after fears it could be closed for up to 18 months, but there are strict conditions in place.
QLD News
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Mt Crosby Rd overpass that was struck by a truck carrying a wind turbine tower on Friday has partly reopened, but there are strict conditions for motorists to abide by.
Minister for Transport Brent Mickelberg MP announced on Monday that the northbound lane of the Mount Crosby Rd overpass above the Warrego Highway has been reopened, after the vital crossing was struck in the early hours of Friday.
The wind turbine tower was carefully removed from under the overpass on Friday night.
It was feared on Friday that repairs could take up to 18 months to repair the Mt Crosby Rd overpass, leading to frustrated Ipswich residents venting their concerns on social media.
Mr Mickelberg said the overpass has reopened following a “comprehensive structural review”.
“The Mount Crosby Road Overpass – northbound lane – has reopened this morning,” Mr Mickelberg said.
“Following a comprehensive structural review, we have reopened the northbound lane of the Mount Crosby Road overpass above the Warrego Highway.”
Mr Mickelberg advised there are strict conditions that need to be met by motorists hoping to use the overpass, including a 30-tonne vehicle weight limit (with exemptions for fire trucks), a 20 km/h speed restriction, and physical traffic control measures to manage a single-lane operation.
“Oversize and over mass (OSOM) vehicles will remain restricted,” he said.
“Daily inspections and structural monitoring will be undertaken to ensure continued safety, and the arrangement will remain in place until overpass repairs are completed.”
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding has encouraged motorists to be patient as repair works are carried out.
The Warrego Highway follows an incident at Nambour’s Brockhurst Rd bridge in March 2023 that shut the structure down to train services for more the week and forced the road to close for seven months.
The bridge has since been fitted with a Structural Monitoring and Alert System.
There are many rail bridges across Brisbane and southeast Queensland with clearance of less than 5.4m.
A bridge on Oxley Rd at Corinda has been struck nine times since October 2023.
Motorists who damage rail infrastructure can be penalised by a court up to $12,904 and four demerit points.
Brisbane councillor reveals ‘one in 100,000’ cancer battle
A Brisbane city councillor has revealed a shock cancer diagnosis, saying some quick-thinking from his GP has probably saved his life.
Charity’s plea after freak accident destroys $100k wagon
A mental health support group is calling on the community to help raise funds after their “Chuck Wagon” was recently destroyed in a freak accident in Far North Queensland.