South East Freeway traffic at a standstill for second time in 12 hours

The freeway downtrack was clogged between the toll gate and the Heysen Tunnels after a truck burst into flames at the bottom of the hill.

South Eastern freeway at near standstill from toll gate upwards on uptrack on Wednesday. Picture: Josiah Grace

The South Eastern Freeway downtrack was clogged on Thursday morning between the tollgate and the Heysen Tunnels after a truck burst into flames at the bottom of the hill.

Police and the MFS attended and the fire was extinguished but it caused lengthy delays, forcing peak-hour traffic to a slow crawl.

The truck was in the left-hand lane just before the Portrush Rd traffic lights.

Cars were diverted into the right hand lanes and speeds were lowered to 40km/h.

It follows multiple vehicle breakdowns during the evening commute on Wednesday.

Traffic heading towards Mount Barker was reduced to a snail’s pace between the tollgate and Crafers.

A two-car crash on the outbound lane just before Mount Osmond ramp had completely shut down the left hand lane, with multiple ambulances in attendances.
Further along the freeway, two trucks had also broken down in between the Heyson Tunnels and the Crafers exit.

Originally published as South East Freeway traffic at a standstill for second time in 12 hours