Comment and article: Truck stuck under Toowong bridge

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

Truck stuck under Toowong bridge

Truck stuck under Toowong bridge
Simon O'Brien | September 11, 2008 - 7:20AM

A truck carrying an excavator was jammed underneath a rail bridge at Toowong this morning, disrupting traffic and halting trains on the Ipswich line.

The vehicle became stuck under the Sylvan Road bridge about 6.30am and police officers are on site directing one lane of traffic around the vehicle and diverting another lane entirely.

While Sylvan Road is now open, police are still urging motorists to avoid the area.

A TransLink spokeswoman said trains had been suspended between the Corinda and Milton stations, however inbound trains were now moving again and the halted outbound trains were diverted back into the city and then out into South Brisbane on the Beenleigh line.

A police spokeswoman said officers were attempting to remove the truck by deflating its tyres.

[ozbob]

I heard on the radio shortly before boarding the 6.54am Shorncliffe service at Oxley that a truck and its load had come to grief on the road bridge down side Toowong.

As we approached Corinda on EMU37, the guard announced the train would be held for about 5 minutes whilst bridge inspection finalised.

After about 7 minutes we proceeded into Corinda station.  The Guard announced that the bridge inspection was done and train would be proceeding to Roma St as per normal.  I think some earlier services did go via Tennyson.

As we left Graceville I did a short live interview on Radio 612 ABC Brisbane with Spencer Howson from the train.

The passengers were relaxed.  This time communication was clear.  If passengers are kept informed they are happy.
This is not always the case.

We arrived at Roma St Station at 7.32am.  The train was fully loaded by Taringa, I think we might have been the first down train through after the inspection. We slowed as we crossed the bridge that the truck hit.

I noted that there is no loading guage protection for the bridge on the road.  It would make sense to put barriers that when a truck hits makes noise.  This might help stop trucks hitting and getting stuck under the bridge, which seems to happen with some regularity.

[ozbob]

Some photographs at Brisbanetimes click here!