Transport and Main Roads Queensland has said it is hoping to reopen a single lane of the Bruce Highway under traffic control from tomorrow night (Tuesday September 3).
The highway has been closed in both directions at Bororen, south of Gladstone, since a fatal incident early on Friday.
The driver of a ute died in a fiery head-on collision with a B-double carrying 42.5 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, a chemical commonly used in fertilisers.
The crash caused the truck to explode, leaving a major crater in the highway and producing a damage radius of 500 metres.
Yesterday morning at 9am, TMR Queensland was handed possession of the site by Queensland Police.
They began clean-up activities of the road at Bororen shortly after, with “significant progress” made in removal of contaminated material covering the highway.
A spokesperson for TMR told Big Rigs: “Inspections of road and culvert infrastructure are well underway.
“All major and minor culverts have been inspected and cleared of any damage.”
The necessary Environmental and Cultural Heritage inspections have now been undertaken and clearance to proceed has been confirmed.
Three large trees have been identified as damaged as a result of the crash and pose a safety risk. There will be removed and stored on site for future fauna habitat.
Prior to any tree removal, a fauna expert must conduct a pre-clearance inspection of all trees to be removed, TMR has said. The fauna specialist will remain on site during the work to conduct a post-felling inspection of each tree.
Trenches have been excavated along the Bruce Highway within the blast zone, in order to test pavements. TMR is currently awaiting these pavement test results.
Ground Penetrating Radar testing commenced Sunday afternoon, and continued into Sunday night to assist with pavement assessment and to provide confirmation on when the Bruce Highway can be safely reopened.
Diversions are currently in place for heavy vehicles – see the list here.
TMR is working toward re-opening a minimum single lane on the Bruce Highway under traffic control by 11:55pm Tuesday 3 September.
“Depending on damage assessment and the completion of remediation work, two lanes of access may be possible,” the spokesperson said.
“For the safety of all road users, please follow official detour routes and do not use local road networks.
“Motorists are reminded to observe all warning signs, speed restrictions, detours and traffic control directions in place.
“Please remember to be patient and respectful to our roadworkers and traffic controllers on site – they are working hard to get the Bruce Highway open as quickly and as safely as possible, and to ensure all road users have safe access through established diversions.”
The Bruce Highway is a major artery used for transporting freight from Brisbane to the north of Queensland.
It is notorious for being the location of a high number of crashes.
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