Bridge strike causes rail delays in Laois
Irish Rail had to suspend services due to reports of a high vehicle striking a bridge in Portlaoise earlier today.
The incident on the Mountmellick Road led to minor rail disruption but did not cause major delays.
It’s the latest incident of its kind in the town where warning signs for high vehicles are no longer working.
Irish Rail is looking to put an end to the persistent problem of trucks crashing into its bridges in the town.
Earlier this month the rail operator issued a tender seeking a contractor to install and commission ‘Over-height Vehicle Detection System(OHVDS) at two bridges in Portlaoise.
Both the Mountmellick and Mountrath Roads in Portlaoise have been dogged with bridge strike incidents over the years. The incidents are dangerous for motorists and members of the public.
According to Irish Rail, “every year, bridges are hit by vehicles which are too high to pass underneath. The damage done to the bridges is not always obvious but can be serious.”
Aside from causing rail delays, bridge strikes also delay motorists who inevitably get caught in traffic jams as a result.
Iarnród Eireann is now looking to solve the problem with the new detection system. Their tender states that they “require the services of a contractor to supply, install, and commission of an Over-height Vehicle Detection System (OHVDS) for UBC145 & UBC146, Portlaoise, Co. Laois with the option to purchase additional units if required during the duration of the contract.”
“The key objective of the project and proposed system is to reduce the amount and risk of bridge strikes occurring by way of road vehicles, which in-turn poses a risk to our passengers and infrastructure.”
The tender is now live and responses are expected by mid September. Iarnród Eireann expects a contractor to be appointed by December this year.