Overpass to reopen days after Warrego Highway wind turbine bridge strike

A major Queensland highway was closed after a truck carrying part of a wind turbine slammed into an overpass, creating a traffic nightmare for commuters.

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.

Major highway set to reopen later this week, amid fears of long-term closures. Picture: Facebook/David Martin: Ipswich

Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said this incident shows why Queensland infrastructure needs to be prioritised by the government.

“The Mt Crosby Road overpass remains closed as structural assessments and repairs to the bridge are completed by TMR late this week,” she told NewsWire.

“What this means for local residents living on either side of the highway that use this overpass, is lengthy delays as traffic is diverted through detours.

“This morning residents were stuck in traffic and it was a much longer commute for those who use the overpass and for those who had to take the detour routes.

Ms Harding said commute issues have been around for a long time, and have only been exacerbated by the incident.

“This is challenging for Ipswich motorists who are dealing with significant speed reductions on the nearby Bremer River Bridge on the Warrego Highway, for more than a year now,” she said.

“We have been fighting for many years to upgrade the road network on the Warrego Highway and Mt Crosby Road at this site, and while that project is now funded, we are yet to be given a date when the shovels will hit the ground.

“This accident shows that it is critical that this upgrade be prioritised by both the Federal and State governments and one of Queensland’s fastest growing cities has the transport infrastructure to match our growth.”

Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said Federal and State governments need to prioritise building up infrastructure in her community.

Ms Harding said on Saturday that the incident was causing significant delays for residents and freighting companies moving through the state’s southeast, and that the closure of the overpass created a 30-minute detour.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads will 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.

The overpass is predicted to open later this week, at least partially. Picture: Facebook/TransportAccidentReport-Australia Wide

“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.

Police believe the truck may have failed to follow escorting vehicles up an offramp to go around the overpass.

“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.