Concerns Arise That Overpass May Shut Down for a Year Due to Wind Turbine Blockage
There are fears a Queensland highway overpass could be closed for more than a year after a wind turbine part became stuck yesterday.
The turbine part became wedged under the Mount Crosby Road Bridge at North Tivoli on the Warrego Highway early on Friday morning.
The turbine part was removed overnight, but Ipwsich residents fear the overpass could be out of action for at least a year.
The westbound lane of the Warrego Highway remains closed and the eastbound lane is open, but the overpass will be closed for the near future.
“This accident is having a major impact for Ipswich residents, and I think a major impact on any freighting companies coming through south-east Queensland,” Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said this morning.
Harding said the closure of the overpass would add a 30-minute detour for residents moving in either direction.
“There’s a lot of anxiety in our community about how long it’s going to take,” she said.
“We have seen other major accidents like this take over a year to be completed, so we’re very keen to hear from (the Department of Transport and Main Roads).”
The turbine section was loaded onto a truck for removal from the site.
Police believe the truck’s driver initially failed to follow the pilot and escorting vehicles, which took an off-ramp specifically designed for the transport of parts to the Wambo Wind Farm project.
Logistics company Qube said it was fully cooperating with authorities, and the truck’s driver was checked for injuries in hospital.
