Bridge strike, Cork

niloc1951

The bridge in the attached photo was struck by an 'overheight' truck this morning. The truck was heading east (as it would be due to the 'one way' system), just like the one in the photo.
Now, can someone please answer me this.
Considering that inbound traffic (westerly), as a result of the 'one way' system, is turned left down Water Street in advance of the bridge, like the yellow van in the photo, why was it necessary for the Gardaí to divert traffic off the route at Silversprings, via Mayfield and leaving drivers unfamiliar with their surroundings to fend for themselves along routes with many pinch points and the resulting chaos.

Also, notwithstanding the damaged bridge causing a danger to west bound traffic (which wouldn't actually being going under it), traffic exiting Kent Railway Station was permitted to travel eastbound and under the bridge to join the aforementioned Water Street, when a temporary contraflow from the station exit to Railway St (a distance of 300 Mtrs) could have been put in place.

On the face of it, it appears that those involved in managing the alternative routing requirements which resulted from the incident had little or no regard for implementing a solution with minimum disruption to traffic and the safety of those leaving Kent Station (by road) in mind.

Rhys Essien

I agree,shur wouldnt common sense be too hard.On a separate note,this bridge has been hit countless times over the years,the last time only a few months ago from what I remember.
Surely at this stage of the game Irish rail should be forced to put up better signage,flashing beacons etc,like they have at the jack lynch tunnel.
Even raising the bridge should be considered,although the way they spend money, that would probably cost €50 million.

corktina

raising a rail bridge is seldom an option as trains dont like steep gradients which would mean raising the trackbed also for a long way either side of the bridge (up to a kilometer I would hazard)

The bridge is perfectly adequate for normal traffic and surely someone driving an abnormal height load should KNOW that and not need signs to remind them.

AugustusMinimus

The mech easier solution would be to lower the road surface.

Take half a meter off it.

corktina

handy new channel for the Lee....:D