Warrego Highway closed at North Tivoli after truck slams into bridge
The Warrego Highway could be closed for days after a truck carrying a wind turbine smashed into a bridge overpassing the major arterial southwest of Brisbane.
QLD News
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Authorities say the Warrego Highway could be closed for a couple of days as crews work to remove the wind turbine lodged underneath the Mount Crosby Rd bridge at North Tivoli.
Currently, engineers are on site and are conducting structural assessments.
Police diversions and a public holiday prevented 4 kilometres of traffic from expanding any further at the Mount Crosby Rd off-ramp at North Tivoli on Friday evening.
The Ipswich show day created a slight reprieve in peak hour traffic with fewer cars on the road, but locals have taken to Facebook to vent their frustration and warn of returning gridlocks for Saturday’s sport drop off rush.
One commenter said the accident would make her already long journey to work untolerable.
“Once again, it’s us, the residents of Ipswich, Karalee, Karana Downs, Mt Crosby and all the way to Toowoomba that suffer the most,” she said.
“I am sick of sitting in hours of traffic just to get to and from work. Now this has happened, how is anyone going to have any sort of life after work?!”
Another commenter explained that the impact would affect residents on both sides of Bremer bridge.
“For those not local, it also creates a major issue for locals on either side of the bridge!,” she said.
“This will absolutely cripple our already gridlocked roads around Ipswich.”
Earlier today, the cause of the crash was revealed following investigations by police.
Initial investigations by police indicate the truck failed to follow the pilot and escorting vehicles onto the Mount Crosby Rd off-ramp.
Consequently, the truck has continued along the Warrego Highway, with the wind turbine it was carrying striking the bridge.
The driver of the truck, a man in his 50s, was taken to the Ipswich Hospital for assessment.
According to police, traffic is being diverted onto the Mount Crosby Rd, while the Mount Crosby Rd bridge is closed in both directions.
There appears to be significant damage to the road surface.
“The Mt Crosby Road overpass of the Warrego Highway at Tivoli was damaged this morning when a vehicle transporting a wind turbine part struck the bridge,” a statement from the Department of Transport and Main Roads said.
“The incident occurred at 1.34am on Friday 16 May, 2025 when an over-size over mass vehicle travelling in the westbound lanes struck the overpass and became wedged beneath.
“The Mt Crosby Road overpass is currently closed in both directions and the westbound lanes of the Warrego Highway are closed at the location, with diversions in place via the on/off ramps.
“Long delays are expected and road users are encouraged to find an alternate route.”
The spokesman said crews had started structural assessments and were working to determine when the wind turbine can be removed.
“The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) crews have mobilised, and are on site to undertake structural assessments to determine when the load can be extracted and the road reopened,” the spokesman said.
He said the highway and the bridge would only reopen when it was deemed safe.
The spokesman said the load was being carried under permit and that the department was reviewing its details.
A spokesman for transport company Qube confirmed the incident involved a truck with the company’s branding and said they were “fully cooperating with relevant authorities”.
“Early this morning, a truck carrying wind tower components under escort made contact with a bridge on the Warrego Highway,” the spokesman said.
“The exact circumstances that led to this incident are under investigation.
“Fortunately, no injuries were sustained and Qube was able to deploy specialist equipment to support the recovery effort.”
A Wambo Wind Farm spokesman confirmed the wind turbine was headed to the Wambo Wind Farm, near Jandowae on the Western Downs, as part of the works associated with the stage two development.
“Early this morning, an incident occurred involving a subcontractor transporting equipment for the Wambo Wind Farm project,” the spokesman said.
“The transport company’s vehicle contacted the Mount Crosby Road bridge on Warrego Highway in Queensland.
“There were no injuries reported.
“We are supporting the relevant authorities as they investigate the circumstances surrounding the event.
“Safety is our highest priority, and we expect all contractors working on our projects to uphold the strictest safety and compliance standards.” Motorists are urged to avoid the area around the crash site and expect lengthy delays.
Originally published as Warrego Highway closed at North Tivoli after truck slams into bridge
Join the conversation
Teacher banned for misconduct after sexting former student
A Queensland teacher who sent explicit messages and images to a former student has been banned from reapplying for registration until 2026 after a tribunal ruling.
Read more
Calls for Qld to get yet another public holiday
Premier David Crisafulli is calling on all of us to celebrate Queensland Day more, although he’s stopped short of advocating for it to become a public holiday. But would that sweeten the deal? HAVE YOUR SAY
Read more