Brisbane lockdown: Traffic chaos as commuters flee city

Traffic is bumper-to-bumper north and southbound along the M1 as commuters cram the roads in an apparent bid to escape the city ahead of lockdown.

A traffic gridlock nightmare is emerging along the Bruce Highway northbound to the Sunshine Coast and the Pacific Motorway southbound to the Gold Coast as commuters rush in an apparent bid to escape the city as the 6pm lockdown looms.

Commuters are facing 45-minute delays northbound from Brisbane and 40-minutes southbound from the city.

Traffic at the Bruce Hwy & Deception Bay Rd Interchange – North

From 6pm tonight, a three-day snap lockdown for South East Queensland, Townsville (including Magnetic Island) and Palm Island.

People are to leave their house only for essential work or study, for health care and to get vaccinated, to provide care to a vulnerable person, to buy essential supplies, such as food and medications and for exercise.