Westbound lanes of the Warrego Highway in Queensland are expected to reopen tomorrow morning after a truck carrying a wind turbine crashed into the Mount Crosby Road overpass early on Friday.
The Department of Transport and Mains Roads (TMR) said earlier today the resurfacing works were on track and only bad weather can delay the lanes reopening at North Tivoli.
A TMR spokesperson said the Mount Crosby Road overpass, however, remains closed to traffic, with structural assessments and bridge repairs ongoing.
“Works are continuing to safely re-open 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 spokesperson said.
TMR said the timeline for re-opening the overpass will depend on the outcomes of structural analysis and whether any further works are required to ensure the safety of road users.
“The public can continue to expect delays, with traffic control in place and warning signs active across the advanced notification network.
“We apologise for the delays experienced by road users and encourage motorists to check the QLDTraffic website or call 13 19 40 for traffic updates, information on detours and road closures.”
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding urged motorists to drive carefully next week as a 30 minute detour with multiple intersections would be in place until the overpass was partly reopened.
Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said the western side of the overpass was significantly damaged and there would only be some lanes reopened by the end of the week.
Initially, the government would fund repairs but one report said it might later seek a contribution from the logistics company whose oversize, overmass truck was carrying the turbine that became wedged.
Queensland Police has also revealed that initial investigations indicate the truck failed to follow the pilot and escorting vehicles onto the Mount Crosby Road offramp.