By Alexander Lewis, ABC
Sydney motorists experienced lengthy delays following the closure of Sydney's M4 on Thursday morning. Photo: ABC News
Drivers have been stuck in Sydney's M4 tunnel for several hours over fears part of its concrete roofing could tumble onto traffic.
Transport for NSW said the motorway was closed to westbound traffic between Haberfield and North Strathfield on Thursday morning because of emergency roadworks.
Transurban, which owns and operates the tunnel, said one of three westbound lanes was in the process of being reopened.
Transport for NSW coordinator general Howard Collins said engineers found "a couple of large bulges" in the sprayed concrete lining, called shotcrete, of the tunnel roof overnight.
"[The engineers] were concerned that if there was a major issue with this shotcrete, it could fall on vehicles," he said.
Mr Collins said the entire section would be closed again at 10pm tonight so further remedial work could be carried out.
'Exorbitant' delays
NSW Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said drivers had spent an "exorbitant amount of time" in the tunnel, with some reportedly waiting up to four hours inside.
"Ultimately, this is a failure of privatisation. This tunnel is privately operated," she said.
Frustrated motorist Jonathan Cooper said he was stuck in the tunnel for more than an hour after leaving Glenmore Park.
"You could see everybody getting really anxious themselves, like nobody was letting anybody in," he said.
Mr Cooper had been travelling to the airport this morning to meet family who had returned from a cruise.
He said communication about the incident should have been clearer on radio and LED traffic signs throughout the city.
"I wasn't listening to the news or anything like that, and I shouldn't have to rely on radio stations to tell me that there's a problem in there," he said.
"I think they need to consider how they're going to fund everybody's tolls for this morning, to have to pay for the privilege of sitting in traffic for an hour."
Communication breakdown
Mr Collins criticised Transurban's handling of the incident, saying there was a "frustrating" lack of communication from the company as the government tried to step in.
"We've offered engineers, all sorts of equipment. Unfortunately, those offers have not been readily accepted," he said.
"It is frustrating. My crews and teams who really want to get people around the network did find it very difficult to get information from this organisation.
"We will investigate and work with the timelines, and go through this with Transurban, to ensure that motorists are not put through this pain again."
Shadow Roads Minister Natalie Ward said the NSW government should have issued earlier warnings so drivers knew to avoid the motorway.
"Jenny Aitchison, as roads minister, should have been out there this morning communicating to motorists, not waiting until after her leisurely lunch," she said.
"It's not acceptable to blame everybody else when you are the roads minister."
More delays expected
Despite the partial reopening of a single westbound lane, Transurban has warned drivers to expect delays this afternoon and to avoid the area.
Transurban said in a statement one of the westbound lanes would be reopened on Thursday afternoon, with the rest of the tunnel to reopen "as soon as it is safe to do so".
"Two of the three lanes in that small section of the tunnel between Haberfield to Homebush will remain closed," the statement said
"Motorists are advised to expect delays this afternoon and avoid the area if possible."
The toll-road operator said planned maintenance closures on Thursday night would go ahead with reopening expected on Friday morning.
Motorists affected by the traffic gridlock have been offered a refund by contacting Linkt on 133 331 or its app.
-ABC
