Truck inferno brings Monash Fwy to standstill between Burke Rd and Toorak Rd

Wednesday morning commuters are facing major traffic delays on Melbourne roads after truck fire, multi-vehicle crash and protests. Read how to navigate the traffic.

Emergency services have closed three inbound lanes on the Monash Freeway just before Toorak Road after a truck fire on Wednesday morning. Photo: VicTraffic/X

A truck inferno on Monash Freeway has caused the busy route to come to a standstill.

Three of the five city-bound lanes are closed on the Monash Freeway between Burke Rd and Toorak Rd after a Cleanaway truck caught on fire on Wednesday morning.

The city-bound exit at Toorak Rd has been blocked.

Three lanes are closed inbound on the Monash Freeway just before Toorak Road due to a truck fire. Emergency services are on scene. Speed reduced to 40km/h. Follow their direction and allow extra time citybound on the freeway. Consider using Dandenong Road instead. #victraffic pic.twitter.com/wDItPVQh4w

— VicTraffic (@VicTraffic) September 4, 2024

Authorities are urging commuters to exit the Monash Fwy at Burke Rd to avoid using the CityLink tollway that is congested with traffic.

Two lanes are open past the incident with speed set at 40km/h and traffic is queuing from Warrigal Rd.

A Department of Transport spokesman said drivers should exit the freeway at or prior to Warrigal Rd and use Dandenong Rd, Waverley Rd or Toorak Rd to avoid congestion on the freeway.

Two of the three Altona-bound lanes were closed on the M80 Ring Road just after Sydney Road after a multi-vehicle crash on Wednesday morning. Photo: X/VicRoads

It comes just hours after Wednesday morning commuters were facing more than 40 minutes of traffic delays after a multi-vehicle crash on the M80 Ring Rd and protests on Eastern Fwy.

Trafficstaked up on the M80 Ring Rd from Dalton Rd after a multi-vehicle crash on Wednesday morning, causing delays of more than 40 minutes for the Hume Freeway city-bound traffic.

All Altona-bound lanes have reopened on the M80 Ring Rd near Sydney Rd.

Two right lanes closed on the M80 Ring Road Altona-bound just after the Sydney Road overpass, due to a multi-vehicle collision. One lane is open with speed set at 40km/h. Please obey the overhead signals and merge early for everyone's safety. Delays building rapidly. #victraffic pic.twitter.com/n5Hi4p9ffL

— VicTraffic (@VicTraffic) September 3, 2024

There was also congestion on surrounding roads including the Hume Highway/Sydney Rd, Edgars Rd, Mahoneys Rd and Camp Rd.

Meanwhile, on the Eastern Fwy, Extinction Rebellion protesters took over the footbridge above the busy freeway near the Hoddle Street exit.

Extinction Rebellion protesters take over the footbridge above the busy Eastern Freeway near the Hoddle Street exit on Wednesday morning. Photo: Gemma Scerri

A Facebook event organised by Extinction Rebellion Australia said, “Let’s get more eyes on banners with climate messages.”

“Join this banner drop on the first and third Wednesday of the month from 7.30-9.30am on the footbridge over the busy Eastern Freeway near the Hoddle Street exit.”