Bypass beam jams highway

MOTORISTS endured lengthy delays getting in and out of Pakenham and Officer after a concrete construction beam fell off a truck on the Princes Highway.
Police said traffic was reduced to onelane for almost eight hours after the incident just before 4am on Friday, 13 October.
Police said the 25metre beam, weighing 65 tonnes, was being transported to the Pakenham Bypass construction site when the carrier truck’s rear jinker trailer came adrift.
Cardinia Traffic management Unit Acting Sergeant Col Davies said the beam knocked down a power pole, several trees and road signs as it was dragged along the highway for almost 100 metres.
The trailer with the beam on board became detached near the weighbridge on the eastbound lane of the highway.
Worksafe officials are investigating the incident.
A heavy haulage crane was used to clear the concrete beam away from passing traffic.