Traffic nightmare as West Gate Bridge works cause mass delays, traffic chaos

Motorists are facing extensive delays across the city, with traffic banked up for kilometres due to works on the West Gate Bridge.

Traffic on the West Gate Bridge has slowed to a crawl as lane closures continue to catch out holidaymakers unaware of hours-long delays.

Drivers were previously warned to expect 90-minute delays but by Tuesday afternoon some motorists reported mass delays of up to three hours added to their commute.

It comes as four lanes headed away from the city are closed until January 4 for annual maintenance, leaving just one lane for those headed out west.

Footage shared to 3AW captured the shocking moment frustrated motorists caught in delays performed dangerous manoeuvres to escape the congestion.

One driver reportedly performed an illegal U-turn while other motorists were seen brazenly reversing to an emergency exit point they had passed.

The lanes were closed at 9pm last night and photos taken Tuesday morning showed cars on the bridge banked for at least 1km.

Travellers are facing delays of up to 90 minutes as works along West Gate Bridge for the road down to one lane. Picture David Crosling

The traffic snarls stretch back well into the stretch of the West Gate Freeway between the bridge and the city.

Motorists driving past the chaos said they had spotted traffic stretching roughly 5km all the way back to Domain Tunnel.

Cars emerging out of the tunnel were forced to slow to a snail’s pace.

The bridge is the major connector between the two sides of the city and authorities had warned the closures would lead to delays of up to 90 minutes while underway.

In worse news, the traffic jams on the freeway are expected to have a spillover affect on surrounding suburbs and on key corridors such as the Monash Freeway.

Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan in recent weeks announced the government’s summer timetable for disruptions and warned of significant delays in parts of Melbourne.

Westgate Bridge is down to one lane for annual repair work which is causing major traffic problems on the outbound approach. Picture: David Crosling

The City Loop will be shut down for two weeks in January for a safety upgrade at Flagstaff, Parliament and Melbourne Central stations in the CBD.

Smoke detectors and sprinklers will be improved along with other emergency systems with the intent of making it easier to respond to incidents and get trains moving again.

But the project will cause chaos for train passengers as all three stations will be closed from 9pm January 2 until last service January 15.

Westgate Bridge is down to one lane for annual repair work which is causing major traffic problems on the outbound approach. Tuesday, December 27. 2022. Picture David Crosling

Over this period, no trains will run through the City Loop and will only run to Flinders Street Station and Southern Cross.

The works have been timed to shut down the loop during its quietest period and commuters who are encouraged to walk or tram from the stations that remain open.

Buses will also replace trains on parts of the Hurstbridge, Alamein and Sandringham lines while these works take place.

Westgate Bridge is down to one lane for annual repair work. Picture: David Crosling

From January 4, rail commuters will also be shuffled onto replacement buses on Cranbourne, Pakenham, Frankston, Stony Point and Sandringham lines.

These shutdowns will be to prepare tracks for the high capacity trains and signalling that will become operational when the Metro Tunnel opens.

Meanwhile, overnight works will shut the Monash Freeway in both directions across four nights in January

Buses will also replace trains on parts of the Lilydale and Belgrave lines from February 17 until late May as part of a final blitz to remove two level crossings in Surrey Hills.

“It’s our biggest summer of Victoria’s Big Build with more than 19,000 jobs on the ground pushing to get vital road and rail upgrades done over the coming months,” Ms Allan said.

“As the city-shaping Metro Tunnel emerges above ground and the opening of the new Anzac Station tram stop later this month, crews will be working hard on upgrades that deliver turn-up-and-go services when it opens in 2025.”