A truck carrying heavy machinery has severely damaged a major overpass on the Bruce Highway, bringing southbound traffic to a standstill on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. The collision at Tanawha has created one of the region’s most significant traffic disruptions in months.
The incident unfolded just after 8:45 am on Friday, 6 February 2026, when an excavator being transported struck the Ilkley Road overpass. Large chunks of concrete and debris scattered across the highway beneath.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, including Queensland Police, Queensland Fire and Rescue, and Queensland Ambulance Service. The Department of Transport and Main Roads also deployed teams to assess the structural damage.
Damaged bridge on the Bruce Highway [news.com.au]
Heavy Machinery Exceeds Bridge Clearance
The Ilkley Road overpass bridge has a clearance height of 5.4 metres. The excavator’s boom appears to have exceeded this limit, causing catastrophic damage to the bridge structure.
Witnesses described hearing a loud crash followed by concrete raining down onto the highway. Traffic came to an immediate halt as debris blocked multiple lanes.
Queensland Ambulance Service confirmed paramedics assessed two patients at the scene. The truck driver and the occupant of another vehicle received medical attention. Neither required hospital transport, and no serious injuries were reported.
Southbound Traffic Brought to Standstill
The Bruce Highway crash has created gridlock conditions from Tanawha to Rosemount. All southbound traffic was immediately diverted via Maroochydore Road, adding significant time to journeys.
Queensland Police issued a warning to motorists:
“The Bruce Hwy is closed southbound near Tanawha due to a serious traffic crash. Diversions are being put in place via Tanawha Tourist Dr. Heavy delays are expected and motorists are advised to avoid the area.”
The closure affected:
- All southbound lanes of the Bruce Highway at Tanawha
- The Ilkley Road overpass itself is closed to all traffic
- Local access roads are experiencing overflow congestion
Northbound lanes remained open, but one lane was temporarily converted to handle some diverted southbound traffic under traffic control.
Engineers Assess Structural Damage
The Department of Transport and Main Roads mobilised structural engineers to assess the bridge’s integrity. The visible damage includes cracked concrete, exposed reinforcement steel, and potential structural compromise to the bridge deck.
Engineers will need to determine whether the bridge can be safely repaired or requires partial reconstruction. This assessment will dictate how long the closure lasts and what repairs are needed.
Similar incidents elsewhere in Australia have taken weeks or months to fully repair, depending on the extent of structural damage.
The excavator in question appeared to have damage to its front [news.com.au]
Diversions and Alternative Routes
Motorists travelling southbound on the Bruce Highway are being directed via:
- Maroochydore Road (primary diversion)
- Tanawha Tourist Drive
- Local secondary roads are experiencing overflow
Authorities warned drivers to:
- Expect significant delays
- Allow extra travel time
- Avoid the area if possible
- Follow all traffic control directions
- Exercise patience with road workers
The Bruce Highway carries thousands of vehicles daily between Brisbane and Queensland’s northern centres. This section of the Sunshine Coast is particularly busy during peak periods.
Queensland’s Critical Transport Artery
The Bruce Highway stretches approximately 1,679 kilometres from Brisbane to Cairns. It serves as Queensland’s primary north-south transport corridor for both freight and passenger vehicles.
The highway passes through major regional centres including Gympie, Maryborough, Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville, and Cairns. It forms part of Australia’s National Highway network and Highway 1, the longest highway route in the country.
Recent years have seen significant investment in upgrading sections of the Bruce Highway. The Queensland and federal governments committed billions to improve safety, flood resilience, and capacity along the corridor.
The Tanawha section underwent major upgrades in the 1980s, converting it to a dual carriageway standard. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of managing heavy vehicle traffic on critical infrastructure.
Previous Bridge Strikes Highlight Ongoing Issue
Bridge strikes by overheight vehicles represent a persistent problem across Australia’s road network. According to the Federal Highway Administration, between 13,000 and 15,000 vehicle-to-bridge collisions occur annually in the United States alone.
Australian statistics show similar patterns, with regular incidents involving trucks carrying machinery, containers, or other loads that exceed clearance heights. These collisions can cause extensive damage requiring lengthy repairs and road closures.
Transport authorities continue emphasising the importance of proper load height checks before travelling under bridges and overpasses. Warning signs display clearance heights, but drivers must ensure their loads remain within limits.
What Happens Next
The Department of Transport and Main Roads has not yet provided a timeline for reopening the Bruce Highway southbound lanes. Officials stated the closure would remain in place “for an undetermined period” pending engineering assessments.
Repairs will likely proceed in stages. Initial work will focus on clearing debris and making the site safe. Engineers will then determine the scope of structural repairs needed to the Ilkley Road bridge.
Motorists should check QLDTraffic for the latest updates on road conditions and alternative routes. The service provides real-time information on incidents, closures, and traffic flow across Queensland’s road network.
As Friday afternoon approaches, commuters face continued disruption on one of Queensland’s busiest transport corridors. The incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly infrastructure damage can create widespread traffic chaos.
