A road closed for more than seven months has reopened, to the relief of locals.
A section of Brockhurst Road at Nambour was sealed off in late March after a rail bridge, 4.7m above it, was seemingly struck by the top of a truck.
An 8km section of rail line was closed for about a week and there were significant impacts to train services while crews worked to make essential repairs to the bridge.
Passengers were shuttled between Nambour and Yandina by bus, while some freight train services put their stock on trucks.
Once the bridge’s foundations were deemed to be strong and safe enough, normal train services resumed.
But further repairs on the bridge continued for months and the road remained closed. Motorists detoured via Duhs Road, Image Flat Road, Nambour-Mapleton Road, Netherton Street and Zealey Road.
Brockurst Road eventually reopened on Wednesday, October 25.
Queensland Rail head of South-East Queensland Scott Riedel said it had been a stop-start process on the bridge.
“Work could only be undertaken during a track closure, when no trains were operating,” he said.
“Queensland Rail appreciates the community’s patience.”
Locals expressed their relief at the route reopening, via social media.
“Finally” and “about time” many of them said.
“Never thought I’d see the day – no more going past the hospital during peak hour,” another added.
Queensland Rail does not know exactly how the rail bridge was damaged, because no one reported the incident.
The damage was identified during a routine track inspection on March 26, while the rail line was coincidentally closed for weekend maintenance.
Mr Reidel said truck operators should be wary of overpasses.
“The damage to this bridge was likely caused by an over-height vehicle striking the rail bridge. We want to remind drivers to please plan your route in advance and know your trucking height,” he said.
Queensland Rail said bridge strikes should be immediately reported via the phone number on the identification plates that are fixed to bridges.
Motorists who damage rail infrastructure can be fined up to $1238 and four demerit points, and if the matter goes to court the maximum penalty for causing damage to rail infrastructure is $12,384.
Mr Riedel said the Brockhurst Road rail bridge was “fitted with height clearance signage on all approaches”.
“Bridge strikes involving rail bridges above 4.6m are rare,” he said.
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