Multiple lanes of the Bruce Highway remain closed on the Sunshine Coast after a truck carrying an excavator hit an overpass.
Traffic chaos erupted after the incident occurred at Tanawha just before 9am on Friday when a truck carrying an excavator hit the Ilkley Rd overpass.
The excavator fell onto the highway after it hit the overpass which has a 5.4m clearance.
The damaged bridged caused the southbound lanes of the highway to be completely blocked for traffic.
Huge pieces of concrete and debris from the bridge were scattered across the Bruce Highway and alongside the wreckage of the low loader and excavator.
There were also cracks and sections missing from the underside of the bridge’s support framework.
Queensland Police said the ‘serious’ crash meant southbound traffic remains shut down while major delays are still being experienced by motorists.
‘The Bruce Hwy is closed southbound near Tanawha due to a serious traffic crash,’ a police spokesperson said.
Huge pieces of concrete and debris from the bridge were scattered across the Bruce Highway and alongside the wreckage of the low loader and excavator
The damaged bridged caused the southbound lanes of the highway to be completely blocked for traffic
‘Diversions are being put in place via Tanawha Tourist Dr. Heavy delays are expected and motorists are advised to avoid the area.’
All southbound traffic is being diverted via Maroochydore Rd as Ilkley Rd is closed to traffic.
Northbound lanes were reopened just before 11am, with one lane temporarily being used to divert some southbound vehicles.
The crash resulted in agonising gridlock, with traffic at a standstill from Tanawha to Rosemount.
Emergency services including Queensland Police, Queensland Ambulance Service and Queensland Fire and Rescue attended the scene, along with the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
A QAS spokeswoman said paramedics were assessing the truck driver and the occupant of another car, but no injuries were reported and neither patient had been transported to hospital.
Sunshine Coast acting-Inspector Scott Wiggins said police were not aware of any injuries or additional crashes linked to the incident.
Unfortunately, police could not confirm when the southbound lanes would reopen.
Unfortunately, police could not confirm when the southbound lanes would reopen
Department of Transport engineers were also called in to assess the structural integrity of the Ilkley Rd bridge.
Motorists are being urged to avoid the area and allow extra travel time.
