Queensland Minister for Transport, the Honourable Rachel Nolan, has announced that work to reduce the number of vehicle strikes and improve safety at low level rail bridges has begun across Brisbane.
The $1 million Low Level Bridge Protection Program would see the installation of height gauges at six of the most frequently hit low level rail bridges across the city.
“A careless truck or bus driver hitting a bridge can cause inconvenience to thousands of commuters if it happens at peak time,” Ms Nolan said.
“When a bridge is hit, it must be structurally assessed before trains can run over it again. If it happens during a busy period, a whole rail line can be shut and that means major delays for commuters.
“In the past eight years, rail bridges have been struck by over-height vehicles 332 times on the South East Queensland network.
Ms Nolan said height gauges would be installed by early October at Pine Street, Wynnum; Long Street East, Graceville; Park Road, Woolloongabba; Sylvan Road, Toowong; Sherwood Road, Rocklea; and Pickering Street, Gaythorne.
She continued, “Height gauges will be built over the roads leading to the bridges and will chime loudly when an over-height vehicle hits them, warning the driver of the low level bridge ahead.”
Ms Nolan said that while the gantries could improve the integrity of the rail network, the first responsibility for safety would always lie with drivers.
“Every bridge has a clearance height sign and drivers have an obligation to know how high their truck or bus is and drivers who fail to do that and hit a bridge can face a court-imposed fine of up to $4000.”
In addition to the Low Level Bridge Protection program, the State Government is rolling out a new bridge strike prevention system for trial at two sites on the Ipswich rail line – Allwood Street, Indooroopilly and Oxley Road, Corinda. The Bridge Impact Detection System will use a combination of infrared laser detectors, CCTV and active signage to warn drivers about low rail bridges.