Bruce Highway closed after excavator hits Ilkley Road bridge on Sunshine Coast

Traffic chaos has unfolded on the Sunshine Coast after an excavator being transported on a low loader struck a bridge and crashed onto the Bruce Highway, forcing major closures in both directions.

The incident occurred just before 9am at Tanawha, when the excavator hit the Ilkley Road bridge, causing significant structural damage and blocking the southbound lanes of the highway. Large pieces of concrete and debris were scattered across the roadway, alongside the wreckage of the truck and machinery.

Police initially shut northbound lanes to allow stranded southbound motorists to turn around, before implementing major traffic diversions. Southbound traffic was redirected via Maroochydore Road, while northbound vehicles were diverted onto the Sunshine Motorway as congestion rapidly built across the network.

Sunshine Coast Acting Inspector Scott Wiggins said northbound lanes of the Bruce Highway were reopened shortly before 11am following coordination with Transport and Main Roads, but warned delays would continue.

"In my opinion, the damage is significant, and it would have been a very dangerous situation for motorists travelling behind that truck at the time," Inspector Wiggins said from the scene.
"The area is experiencing severe traffic congestion as we work to divert vehicles around this incident."

Inspector Wiggins said police were not aware of any injuries or secondary crashes linked to the incident. The driver of the truck was assisting police and undergoing mandatory testing.

"The investigation is in its early stages, but initial observations suggest the boom of the excavator was raised too high and collided with the underside of the bridge," he said.

The Ilkley Road bridge has suffered extensive damage, with visible cracking and sections missing from its underside support structure. Engineers from the Department of Transport and Main Roads have been called in to assess the bridge's safety and determine when repairs can begin.

Police urged motorists to avoid the Tanawha area where possible, warning that southbound lanes of the Bruce Highway could remain closed for an extended period while safety assessments are carried out.