Truck became wedged on M1 Pacific Motorway off-ramp
NSW Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) has confirmed it is investigating an oversize load that became wedged on an M1 Pacific Motorway off-ramp as salvage operations take place.
The incident occurred on the entrance to Newcastle Link Road at about 4.30am on February 11.
NSW Police tells ATN a Rex J Andrews (RJA) heavy haulage truck carrying a pressure vessel “moved through the passage” before becoming “stuck on infrastructure”, noting, however, that the company is accredited and had a permit.
The off-ramp near Newcastle could be closed all day, NSW Police says, warning that authorities “may need to dismantle off ramp”.
Read more about a WA incident report of an explosives truck in a sinkhole, here
In a statement to ATN, RMS says: “About 4.30am on Monday 11 February 2019, a truck transporting refinery equipment travelling eastbound struck a guardrail and became stuck on the M1 Pacific Motorway off ramp to Newcastle Link Road, at Cameron Park.
“The northbound off ramp from the motorway to Newcastle Link Road eastbound remains closed while a removal operation takes place. The removal operation is expected to continue into the evening.
“Detours are in place and motorists are advised to exit the motorway at George Booth Drive to use Cameron Park Drive instead.
“Roads and Maritime Services has started an investigation into the incident.”
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has also warned operators to avoid that particular section of the motorway, with further delays to be expected.
RJA confirmed to ATN that RMS and relevant authorities were dealing with the incident but would not comment further.
UPDATE
Motorists are advised of changed traffic conditions northbound on the M1 Pacific Motorway at the Newcastle Link Road exit from 8pm tonight (Feb 11).
Northbound lane closures will be required from about 8pm, with all lanes expected to reopen by 3am on Tuesday morning.
A 400-tonne crane has arrived on site ahead of a complex salvage operation to allow the exit ramp to reopen after this morning’s incident with the oversize vehicle carrying a 40-tonne wide load.
“Roads and Maritime Services needs to consider the safety of all road users during the salvage operation, so the M1 will have closures at the Newcastle Link Road exit to allow the safe removal of the load and get the heavy vehicle moving again,” an RMS spokesperson says.
“The M1 will be completely closed for about one hour to allow the 40-tonne load to be lifted by a crane, allowing the heavy vehicle to travel through the underpass, back onto the M1 where the crane will reposition the load on the heavy vehicle.”
“This is a complex task and we appreciate the patience of all motorists while work is carried out.”
Operators are asked to allow extra travel time and be prepared to take the alternative routes of George Booth Drive to travel to Newcastle. Those wishing to travel north past Beresfield should travel via the Hunter Expressway and John Renshaw Drive to continue their journey.
A bridge guardrail on the exit ramp has been damaged as a result of the incident and the exit ramp will have a reduced speed limit of 60km/h until mid-year, when the guardrail can be permanently repaired.
Traffic control and a reduced speed limit will be in place on the M1 for the safety of workers and motorists.
Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and follow the directions of signs and traffic control.