TII Seeks Fix for Midleton Underpass After Frequent Truck Collisions

Trucks and large tractors ram into an arterial underpass in Midleton, County Cork, nearly once every two weeks, earning the location a reputation as the country’s most frequently struck bridge.

Frequent Collisions Block Main Route

The underpass carries the N25 Cork-Waterford road along the Bailick Road on the southern side of Midleton. Since the bypass was built in the mid-1980s, oversized vehicles have regularly hit the structure.

In recent months, the collision frequency has increased. Trucks and large tractors now get stuck under the bridge nearly once every two weeks.

Issues have mounted since the early 2000s as traffic volumes grew dramatically. When a vehicle gets wedged, the resulting blockages snarl traffic around the town for hours at a time.

Council Members Propose New Safeguards

During an East Cork Municipal District Council meeting, Social Democrats councillor Eamonn Horgan asked if the council could install a crash barrier with sensors to detect over-height vehicles. Mr. Horgan noted that a similar system operates at the Jack Lynch Tunnel, where barriers lower in advance to stop tall vehicles.

Mr. Horgan also called for height warning signs on all possible approach roads.

Fine Gael councillor Rory Cocking asked whether structural inspections follow each collision. Senior executive engineer Dave Clarke confirmed that inspections take place after every incident, describing the underpass as extremely robust.

Transport Officials Assess Safety Fixes

TII officials witnessed the most recent incident firsthand when a tractor became wedged under the bridge. Following that event, the transport agency began assessing safety measures to stop future collisions.

Mr. Clarke stated that TII is examining the feasibility of installing detectors and dropping barriers similar to those used at the Jack Lynch Tunnel.