Rail services resume in Laois after bridge strike
Irish Rail says there are delays on many routes
Rail services have resumed in Laois after a bridge was struck by a vehicle this morning.
“Services have resumed between Portlaoise and Portarlington. 09:00 Heuston to Cork approximately 35 minutes delayed. 09:25 Heuston to Galway approximately 20 minutes delayed. 10:25 Portlaoise to Heuston departed approximately 5 minutes delayed,” Irish Rail stated on X.
Bridge strikes are a relatively common occurrence in Portlaoise. Last month a Heavy Goods Vehicle collided with the bridge on the Mountmellick Road causing delays to rail and road traffic.
Irish Rail announced plans to install a new anti collision system on the Mountmellick and Mountrath Road bridges but the system never materialised.
In 2022, Irish Rail tendered for a warning system for two bridges in Portlaoise due to the number of incidents involving high sided vehicles. Each time a bridge strike occurs the bridge involved has to be inspected to insure it hasn’t suffered structural damage.
The ‘Over-height Vehicle Detection System(OHVDS) for two bridges in Portlaoise was due to be in place last year.