Truck causes traffic to bank up after striking the Palmwoods rail bridge guard

A truck has smashed into a troublesome rail bridge guard in the Sunshine Coast hinterland on Friday.

A truck has caused traffic chaos in Palmwoods on Friday afternoon after coming into contact with the rail bridge.

Traffic was banked up at a notorious Palmwoods intersection after a truck hit a rail bridge guard in Palmwoods.

The accident comes just a week after the Daily revealed more than a dozen over-height vehicles have hit the bridge or its protection beams in 2020.

A witness told the Daily the truck hit the rail bridge steel guards just in front of the Palmwoods bridge, which has a low clearance of 3.9m, about 1.30pm on Friday.

Traffic was backed up on Woombye-Palmwoods Road as a result of the accident.

The truck was seen reversing and turning around before leaving the scene.

A truck has caused traffic chaos in Palmwoods on Friday afternoon after coming into contact with the rail bridge.

Queensland Rail CEO Nick Easy confirmed that an over-height-vehicle collided with the protection beam at the Margaret Street rail bridge in Palmwoods.

"A remote inspection of the bridge determined there was no impact to rail bridge, and as such, train services were not impacted," he said.

"Crews also conducted a physical inspection of the protection beam which confirmed there was no damage."

The accident comes as residents continue to vent their frustration about the bridge and the lack of visibility while using Margaret Street, Jubilee Drive and Chevallum Road intersections.

Thirteen instances of a truck coming into contact with the Woombye-Palmwoods Road rail bridge at Palmwoods were recorded, including one bridge strike and 12 strikes to the protection beams, according to figures released by the Transport Department.

The witness who did not want to be named told the Daily there were "so many crashes and people just leave".

"That's what happens around here," the witness said.

The Sunshine Coast Daily has launched the Pave the way for Palmwoods community campaign to give residents and businesses a voice as they fight for safety upgrades in the increasingly busy town.

Sunshine Coast Daily's Pave the way for Palmwoods campaign.

Last year, Queensland Rail launched the Size Matters campaign, which aimed to prevent rail bridge collisions by reminding motorists to know the height of their vehicle and load and plan their journey ahead.

Motorists who damage rail infrastructure can be fined up to $1067 and four demerit points.

Queensland Rail actively pursues motorists for the cost of repairs which would otherwise be borne by taxpayers.

If the matter goes to court, the maximum penalty for causing damage to rail infrastructure is $10,676.