Melbourne-bound commuters are facing myriad delays and detours on Wednesday morning following the closure of a major City Loop station and a multi-vehicle crash on the Princess Freeway.
A water leak has caused flooding at Melbourne Central Station with huge puddles across platforms forcing Metro to shut the station during peak times.
The source of the leak has been located and water to the area shut off as of 8.30am, with clean-up set to take “several hours” through Wednesday morning.
Services are running express through the station, with Melbourne Central-bound commuters being directed to take linking tram services from Flagstaff and Parliament stations.
A Department of Planning and Transport spokesman confirmed the leak was not affecting train operations through the area, but that the station would remain closed for the clean-up of pedestrian walkways as a matter of safety.
“We are currently working to restore access to the station,” Metro said on its website.
“Passengers wanting to travel to/from the Melbourne Central area may use either Flagstaff or Parliament stations – or access other stations via Yarra Trams services.”
Melbourne Central Station is under water after a leak. Picture: Supplied
Princess Freeway traffic havoc
Three of the four Melbourne-bound lanes were shut on the Princess Freeway at Laverton following a multi-vehicle collision prior to the High St entry ramp during peak time on Wednesday morning.
Emergency services directed the four lanes of traffic into one open lane from about 8am.
All city-bound lanes have been reopened as of 9am, but traffic remains heavily congested through Werribee, Hoppers Crossing and Point Cook, with delays of up to 25 minutes.
“Surrounding roads including the Princes Highway, Old Geelong Rd, Palmers Rd, Point Cook Rd, Sayers Rd and Leakes Rd are also busier than usual,” the Department of Transport and Planning said.
“The Department of Transport and Planning thanks motorists for their patience as emergency services worked to clear the incident from the freeway.”
HeraldSun
