Traffic logjam across Melbourne as crash closes westbound West Gate Freeway lanes
Motorists are facing delays of 73 minutes on the West Gate Freeway, with traffic backed up all the way to Burnley, as three of the five westbound lanes remain closed following a multi-vehicle collision.
A motorcyclist was injured early on Wednesday afternoon after he was forced to take drastic action to avoid a gold Toyota car that swerved into his lane on the West Gate Bridge.
Delays are likely to continue into the evening westbound.Credit: Nine
This caused him to hit another motorcycle. The man, in his 60s, is now stable with lower body injuries after being taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital.
The other rider, a man in his 40s, is in the same hospital with minor injuries. Police are continuing to search for the Toyota.
The Monash Freeway at Yarra Boulevard.Credit: Department of Transport
Chris Miller from the Department of Transport said the three lanes would remain closed across the evening peak as the Major Collision Investigation Unit’s detectives continued their work.
Miller advised motorists to consider alternative routes including Wurundjeri Way, Footscray Road and Williamstown Road, leaving the Monash Freeway to detour via Punt Road, Hoddle Street and Alexandra Parade, or using the Tullamarine and Calder Freeway to get onto the Western Ring Road (M80).
Tolls apply to this latter option.
The collision took place just after midday on Wednesday.Credit: Nine
Meanwhile, there are major disruptions on the V/Line network following a communications outage.
Services resumed just before 5pm, but delays of up to an hour remain for passengers on the Geelong, Ballarat, Gippsland and Seymour lines.
