With the Terania Street rail bridge removed, the people of Lismore thought that was the last of the traffic problems for North Lismore. Apparently not.

Last Wednesday, October 2, an over-height vehicle struck the disused rail bridge on Alexandra Parade, causing Transport for NSW to implement traffic control for light vehicles under the 3.5m span. The Lismore App understands the vehicle went under the 2.8m section, not the 3.5m section, as per the photo below.

(From February 2024)

A spokesperson for Transport for NSW said, "As a result, Alexandra Parade has had traffic control arrangements and is operating as single-lane traffic flow for light vehicles under the 3.5m span. Over height, vehicles will be directed to continue to use the detour across the rail level crossing.

"Repairs have been scheduled for Wednesday, 9 October (7am to 6pm), to ensure the road can be safely reopened to motorists.

"This will require the road to be closed to all traffic while repairs are carried out."

The Lismore community would have a sense of Groundhog Day (after the famous 1993 Bill Murray movie) after the turmoils of the Terania Street rail bridge.

Transport for NSW bridge inspectors carried out an inspection in February this year following a heavy vehicle strike. The inspection identified damage to the 3.5-metre-high structure, and the lane was closed with temporary traffic lights and traffic controllers on site to direct heavy vehicles to follow a detour.

From Thursday, 10 October, Alexandra Parade will reopen under traffic control with single lane, alternating traffic flow in place for light vehicles under the 2.8 metre span.

Single-lane restrictions will remain in place until work to upgrade the level crossing is complete.

Over-height vehicles will continue to use the existing detour across the rail level crossing. 

The traffic flow control will cause interruptions to the 2024 Elders Lismore Show, which begins next Thursday, October 17.

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said she has asked for the four other bridges, Union and Crane Streets and Winterton and Alexandra Parades, to be removed.

"I have asked the Lismore City Unit SES and LCC Infrastructure to comment on which ones (if any) should be removed."

"I know that Union Street causes problems for SES in floods and did in 2022."