Ipswich City Council Mayor Teresa Harding says residents are concerned the Mount Crosby Bridge overpass on the Warrego Highway could remain closed for up to 12 months after it was struck by a truck transporting a section of a wind turbine.
Dylan Anderson
The incident occurred around 1:40am on Friday morning, when the oversized load became wedged under the bridge in North Tivoli, west of Brisbane, causing significant structural damage. The crash has resulted in the closure of the westbound lanes of the highway and overpass, creating major traffic disruption for the region.
Travel Delays and Resident Impact
The crash has led to serious delays for local commuters. Mayor Harding said the impact on daily travel was immediate and widespread.
“On the north side of the Warrego Tivoli to Karalee, all those residents. This will probably add 20 to 30 minutes each way to their trip,” Ms Harding said.
“The Warrego Highway and this overpass here is a state-controlled road and it's funded by the federal and state government, so the engineers will need time to assess the situation.”
Cause of Incident
Queensland Police confirmed initial investigations indicate the truck failed to follow a pilot and escorting vehicles onto an off-ramp before colliding with the bridge. A Queensland Police spokesperson said the truck was travelling westbound when the incident occurred. The driver, a man in his 50s, was transported to Ipswich Hospital for assessment.
Dylan Anderson
Structural Damage and Removal Efforts
A Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) spokesperson confirmed that crews were dispatched to undertake structural assessments and manage the safe removal of the turbine section.
“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 spokesperson said.
TMR reported on Saturday morning that the turbine tower was successfully removed overnight, with engineers carrying out the process in controlled steps to ensure the safety of the structure.
“The removal was carried out with extreme care in small, controlled steps, allowing structural engineers to continuously assess the overpass condition,” TMR said in a public statement.
Crews are now continuing structural inspections and have begun debris removal and additional safety works. Westbound lanes remain closed, and motorists are advised to expect ongoing delays.
Mayor Harding visited the site on Saturday and posted a video update on social media to reassure the public. She confirmed her main concern is ensuring the overpass can be reopened safely and promptly, acknowledging that further engineering assessments are essential.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. For official updates, refer to the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads or Ipswich City Council.
Dylan Anderson
Dylan Anderson
