Major traffic delays after fatal freeway collision
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Commuters have been warned of significant travel delays after a woman was killed after a truck and car collided on a West Gate Freeway exit ramp.
Traffic heading towards the Burnley Tunnel was at a standstill after police were called to the serious collision shortly before 12pm on Friday.
Traffic on the West Gate Freeway stretches back miles after a fatal crash in Southbank.Credit: Nine
Police said the female passenger of the car, who was yet to be formally identified, had died at the scene.
A man in his 20s was also taken to the Alfred Hospital after paramedics responded about 11.35am, Ambulance Victoria said.
The inbound exit from the West Gate Freeway to Kings Way remained closed on Friday afternoon, as Victoria Police’s major crash unit investigated the collision.
A spokesperson for the Department of Transport said anyone travelling on or around the West Gate Freeway during the peak travel period should allow plenty of extra time. The spokesperson recommended drivers detour around the city where possible.
Police and emergency services respond to a serious collision on the West Gate Freeway, on the Kings Way exit ramp on Friday.Credit: Nine
Motorists travelling towards the Burnley Tunnel were advised to allow up to an hour extra for the journey owing to significant congestion, with queues pushing back to the Princes Freeway.
The Tullamarine Freeway was also heavily congested from Racecourse Road over the Bolte Bridge. Drivers were told to consider exiting at Flemington Road and detouring north of the CBD to reach Hoddle Street and Punt Road.
“Motorists travelling from the west wishing to reach Kings Way should exit earlier at Todd Road or Montague Street and detour through South Melbourne, or take the following exit at Power Street to detour through Southbank,” the transport department spokesperson said.
“The left lane of the freeway towards the Burnley Tunnel and the inbound entry from Montague Street are also closed to provide safe worksite for emergency services attending the incident. Drivers should use the entry from Kings Way to reach the Burnley Tunnel.”
People travelling to Marvel Stadium to attend the FIM World Supercross Championship were warned there would likely be significant travel delays around Kings Way and Montague Street for several hours on Friday night.
The Kings Way collision was one of several incidences on Melbourne road on Friday afternoon which created delays for commuters. A collision on the Princes Freeway closed the left outbound lane near Cardinia Road. A truck rolled over at the Gooramadda Road intersection closed Chiltern-Howlong and Browns Plains roads and restricted Gooramadda Road to one lane of traffic near the NSW border. All inbound lanes of Napier Street in Footscray were also blocked after a truck got stuck under the rail bridge on Friday afternoon.
A left-hand lane of Sydney Road approaching Mahoneys Road and Camp Road was also closed at about 4.30pm due to a collision.
The Bureau of Meteorology has also warned motorists to brace for wet and slippery conditions across the city. The bureau has forecast a 70 per cent chance of rain and the chance of a thunderstorm on Friday evening.
The State Emergency Service has advised people to reduce their speed and maintain a safe distance between vehicles.
A Department of Transport spokesperson said Melbourne’s major road closures were under the control of Victoria Police. They said lanes and ramps will only reopen when it was safe to do so.
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