Gridlock as truck strikes bridge
It was the second time in less than two months that rail commuter services were disrupted as Iarnród Éireann was forced to close the bridge for a damage inspection.
On the morning of Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Cork on May 20, both rail and road traffic in the area was severely disrupted after a truck carrying acid for recyclable batteries hit the underside of the rail bridge
That incident affected more than 20 commuter rail services.
Yesterday, a truck collided with the bridge at 11:34am.
All services to Midleton and Cobh were suspended on safety grounds and Iarnród Éireann was forced to transport passengers to their destinations by bus.
The company’s engineers examined the bridge extensively before giving the go-ahead for trains to use it again, with the first one departing Kent Station for Midleton at 1:27pm.
However, traffic gridlock around the city persisted for far longer as efforts were made to remove the truck, which had its soft-sided trailer ripped off by the impact with the bridge.
Gardaí were quickly on the scene and put diversions in place.
However, there were serious tailbacks in and out of the northern side of the city, especially on the Northern Ring Road through Mayfield and along the Old Youghal Road into Glanmire.
Fine Gael councillor John Buttimer said it was time that flashing signs, similar to those on the approaches to the Jack Lynch Tunnel, were erected on the Lower Glanmire Road to warn lorry drivers if their vehicles were too high to pass under the railway bridge.
Cllr Buttimer said: “Work has just started on the flyovers at the Bandon and Sarsfield Road roundabouts and in November work will commence on the Jack Lynch Tunnel, which will necessitate night-time closures. What we don’t need when this is happening is the Lower Glanmire Road closed because another truck has hit the bridge.”
