Traffic chaos hits Melburnians as they head back to work
Melburnians returning to work faced a rude shock this morning, with road closures causing traffic chaos and bringing motorists to a standstill in the city’s west.
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People returning to work faced a morning of traffic chaos as roadworks close several major Melbourne roads.
Commuters in the city’s west felt the most pain, with the city-bound ramp from the Western Ring Road closed to the West Gate Freeway for West Gate Tunnel works.
Department of Transport head of transport services Jeroen Weimar said it had been “quite a challenging morning”.
Traffic has since cleared but the ongoing closures will continue to cause congestion, particularly during peak hours.
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Mr Weimar told 3AW the decision to close the M80 off ramp was a difficult one.
The road closures are a result of the West Gate Tunnel project and expected to last until the end of February; however, the intersection of Dohertys Road and Fitzgerald Road in Laverton North will reopen this month.
Mr Weimar said drivers should allow extra travel time during the works and plan ahead.
Drivers coming in from the west were advised to use Boundary Rd.
Laverton was said to be in a state of gridlock as drivers attempt to use alternatives to the ring road.
A caller to 3AW described the situation on Boundary Rd as “an absolute nightmare”.
The inbound right lane on Geelong Rd in Laverton North also closed after a truck broke down.
One of the most significant closures triggered by West Gate tunnel works is at the entrance from Geelong Rd to the Princes freeway. The closure is expected to last until the end of February.
Georgia Main from the Department of Transport told 3AW the best alternative to this route was Kororoit Creek Rd, but due to the influx of drivers too was at a standstill this morning.
Ballarat Rd the recommended alternative and ran smoothly considering the surrounding works.
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The West Gate Freeway had all of its outbound lanes closed in Altona North at Grieve Parade due to a crash but these have since reopened.
Somerton Rd in Somerton had all of its eastbound lanes blocked due to a collision.
The Westgate tunnel works come as Nicholson St in the inner north is completely closed between Johnson St in Fitzroy and Barkly St in Brunswick, forcing commuters who use the popular route 96 tram to seek alternate transport.