Truck Causes Major Damages to The Acton Tunnel

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The ACT Insurance Authority says a truck crash into the Acton tunnel cost the state $260,000 in repairs, not including the cost of future repairs.

The truck carrying an excavator crashed into the Acton tunnel, causing extensive damage and causing it to be closed for 2 days. The truck smashed more than 60 metres of the tunnel’s ceiling.

The debacle comes just as the speed limit in the Acton tunnel is expected to remain at 60km per hour for months, to avoid vibrations damaging the structure.

A spokesperson for the ACT government said that Roads ACT was assessing options for the repairs.

An ACT government spokesperson explained about the incident,

“Roads ACT will be making a decision on which option to adopt over the next few months,” he said.

“Other ACT government directorates may consider making further claims in the future, but any amounts are unknown at this time.”

Read more at: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6058417/truck-crash-upshot-quick-fix-to-acton-tunnel-260000-before-repairs-begin/

Roads ACT Director Tony Gill also spoke about the incident saying that the agency would need to come to a decision about how to repair the tunnel. They would also need to consider if destroyed roof tiles would be reinstated or if all the tiles would be completely removed before the speed limit could be returned to 90km per hour as usual.

The crash took place around 10:20am on October 20th and WorkSafe ACT are apparently still investigating the crash.

According to reports the driver cleared the eastbound lanes of the tunnel earlier in the morning of the crash.

A spokesman for the company responsible, Charman Earthmoving and Heavy Haulage, the employer of the driver said no special permit was required for the load.

Under National Heavy Vehicle Regulator requirements, trucks with a combined vehicle and load height exceeding 4.3 metres need a $70 over-height permit to travel on ACT roads. The westbound tunnel on Parkes Way is 4.9 metres high.

Read more at: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6058417/truck-crash-upshot-quick-fix-to-acton-tunnel-260000-before-repairs-begin/

The truck carrying an excavator had cleared the eastbound side of the tunnel before it shredded 60 metres of asbestos tiles from the ceiling of the Acton Tunnel.

Whether or not the load had been properly secured is still unknown, as is the where the truck’s journey began and the destination of the truck.

The spokesperson for Charman Earthmoving and Heavy Haulage, John Kananghinis said the crash was as a result of the sloping on one side of the tunnel, which is why the truck made it easily through the eastbound side of the tunnel first.

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