UPDATE – 2:30PM
All outbound lanes of the West Gate Freeway have been re-opened between the Bolte Bridge and Williamstown Road after a serious collision on the West Gate Bridge earlier today.
Heavy congestion on the West Gate Freeway has remained in both directions and on the Monash Freeway inbound.
Surrounding roads including Queens Road, Kings Way, Wurundjeri Way, Footscray Road, Dynon Road, Geelong Road and roads through Carlton and Parkville have remained busier than usual and it will take some time for delays to ease.
The Department of Transport has thanked motorists for their patience and safe driving while detouring, as emergency services conducted investigations and works to clear all vehicles from the freeway.
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UPDATE – 2:00PM
All outbound lanes of the West Gate Freeway have remained closed between the Bolte Bridge and Williamstown Road following a serious collision on the West Gate Bridge earlier this morning.
Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead for the afternoon peak to find alternative routes and to allow plenty of extra time.
Those travelling from the Monash Freeway through the Domain Tunnel can exit via Montague Street and take Wurundjeri Way through the Docklands or use the exit to the Bolte Bridge to reach Footscray Road.
Footscray and Dynon roads through West Melbourne and many roads through Footscray and Kingsville have become heavily congested.
Motorists detouring north of the CBD have also encountered significant delays through Carlton, Parkville and Flemington into Footscray.
An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said paramedics assessed seven people at the scene.
“A man believed to be in his 20s was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a critical condition,” the spokesperson said.
“Another man believed to be in his 20s was also taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a critical condition.
“A person believed to be in their 20s and another person believed to be in their 50s both have minor injuries and were taken to Footscray Hospital in a stable condition.”
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Drivers using the outbound lanes of the West Gate Bridge are advised to avoid the area following a serious collision earlier this morning.
Four of the outbound lanes between Montague Street and Williamstown Road are closed while investigations into the collision are underway.
Significant delays are expected on the Monash Freeway inbound, through the Domain Tunnel and on roads through the Docklands as motorists divert around the closure.
Drivers are to avoid the West Gate Freeway and to detour through the CBD and West Melbourne using Montague Street, Wurundjeri Way and Footscray Road, or north of the city through Carlton, Parkville and Flemington to reach Geelong Road and the freeway.
This closure is under Victoria Police control.
The freeway will re-open when investigations are complete.
The VicRoads signals team is adjusting traffic lights on surrounding roads to minimise congestion for detouring traffic.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said the collision occurred at about 10.35am, when a car allegedly collided with a truck whilst travelling outbound.
“The male driver of the car was taken to hospital with critical injuries,” the spokesperson said.
“A male passenger of the car was taken to hospital with critical injuries.
“The two male occupants of the truck were not injured and were assessed by paramedics at the scene.”
Anyone with any information or dashcam footage is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Matthew Sims
