The M5 East tunnel is closed in both directions after a crane crashed inside, sparking fears of traffic chaos heading into the afternoon commute.
The large crane rolled over in the eastbound tunnel near Bexley North, with images from underground showing extensive damage to both the vehicle and the tunnel walls, and debris strewn across the road.
A crane truck has rolled inside the M5 East tunnel in Sydney.Credit: Nine News
Authorities closed the entire four-kilometre tunnel in both directions because the crash disabled the tunnel’s deluge sprinkler system.
The stretch of tunnel runs from Bexley North to Arncliffe, with westbound lanes closed from General Holmes Drive and city-bound lanes closed from Bexley Road.
The westbound on-ramp at March Street and the city bound on-ramp at Kingsgrove Road are also closed.
Transport for NSW is advising motorists to avoid the area and use detours in both directions, as it warns of a protracted effort in removing the crane from the tunnel.
The suggested D5 detour takes King Georges Road, Stoney Creek Road, Forest Road, Wickham Street, West Botany Street, Marsh Street to the M5 motorway, avoiding the tunnel.
NSW Fire and Rescue Superintendent Adam Dewberry said it was “going to take a while” to clean up the scene because of the complex nature of the clean-up.
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