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 a failure in communication over disruption 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 motorway. It led to the closure of the tunnel between Haberfield and North Strathfield for more than seven hours on Thursday.

Part of the M4 tunnel was closed for hours on Thursday, causing major disruptions for motorists.Credit: Louie Douvis

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 lanes remain closed.

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.

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, and 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.

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“[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 said the further maintenance closure on Thursday night would allow for extra works to be carried out to the affected area with a view to reopening on Friday morning.

“Despite the partial reopening, motorists are advised to expect delays this afternoon and avoid the area if possible,” it said.

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