Motorists stuck in Sydney’s M4 tunnel for hours after bulges found in roof

Motorists were stuck in one of Sydney’s M4 motorway tunnels for hours on Thursday after major disruption was caused by two bulges found in the roof of the westbound tunnel beneath Ashfield in the inner west.

The bulges in a type of concrete known as shotcrete were discovered during a routine inspection of the M4 overnight, which is part of the WestConnex toll network. It led to the closure of the tunnel between Haberfield and North Strathfield for more than seven hours on Thursday.

One of the lanes in the westbound tunnel between Haberfield and Homebush was opened shortly before 2pm. The lane does not run under the area where the problem in the roof was found. Two other westbound lanes remained closed shortly before 6pm during the peak hour rush.

“Motorists are advised to expect significant delays throughout the afternoon and evening,” Transport for NSW said.

NSW Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison lashed out at toll road operator Transurban for what she described as an “absolute failure” in communication over the closure.

“That period from [10pm to 9am] should have been used much more effectively and proactively than it was by Transurban,” she said.

Aitchison said her office had received calls from motorists who described being stuck in the tunnel for two hours, while she cited social media posts saying that it had been up to four hours for some.

She said transport officials had offered for government engineers to enter the tunnel on Thursday morning, but it was not initially accepted by Transurban.

However, Transurban’s general manager for WestConnex, Denise Kelly, said the state’s transport agency was notified and issued an alert before 6am advising that the tunnel was closed between Haberfield and North Strathfield, while traffic was diverted to Wattle Street and motorists advised to follow directions of traffic crews.

Transport for NSW co-ordinator general Howard Collins said motorists had been stuck in the westbound tunnel for hours on Thursday, slowly creeping forward in an attempt to drive out of it.

“We apologise for what appears to be a complete lack of communication. We will investigate and work with the timelines and go through this with Transurban to ensure that motorists [do] not go through this pain again,” he said.

Collins said he understood that Transurban engineers had found two large bulges in the tunnel roof, and became concerned that shotcrete could fall on vehicles travelling through the M4.

“[Transurban] made the right call in closing the tunnel. But what we were offering was to try to get a quicker response. We’ve got hundreds of competent engineers who could have supported them,” he said.

After a further closure from 10pm on Thursday, Collins said the government would seek assurances from Transurban that the tunnel was safe before all lanes were reopened on Friday.

“If their prognosis is that it is just the waterproof membrane and the shotcrete, they will remove it and make sure it’s safe and make sure no other materials can have the possibility of falling onto motorists,” he said. “That is what we need an assurance on.”

He advised motorists against trying to use the tunnels if they were driving out of the central city, or travelling from the M8 or M5 motorways towards the M4, because of congestion in the area. “If you do not need to travel in this area, do not do so,” he said.

Asked whether motorists would be refunded tolls, Aitchison said Transurban had indicated that it would provide refunds to those disrupted. “It has been a terrible situation for people. We have people who have missed appointments … or they’ve been stuck in the tunnel itself,” she said.

Transurban’s Kelly said conditions had improved in the M4 tunnel after one westbound lane was reopened earlier on Thursday afternoon.

“[Thursday night’s] planned maintenance closure will allow for additional work to be carried out on the affected area, with a view to reopening all lanes [on Friday] morning,” she said.

“We sincerely apologise to all motorists impacted by this issue.”

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