BREAKING NEWS: Traffic chaos as Sydney Harbour Tunnel is closed because of a power outage

  • Sydney Harbour Tunnel has been closed in both directions after a power failure 
  • Drivers are being directed towards the Harbour Bridge but are facing delays 
  • Motorists have been urged to find alternative routes while workers fix the issue 

By OLLIE GILLMAN - ASSISTANT EDITOR

Published: | Updated:

Sydney Harbour Tunnel has been closed in both directions after a power outage, with motorists told to expect severe delays.

Drivers are being directed towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge following the power failure shortly after 10am.

The bridge remains open but a Transport Management Centre spokeswoman urged drivers to find alternative routes if possible.

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Sydney Harbour Tunnel has been closed in both directions after a power outage, with motorists told to expect severe delays

Sydney Harbour Tunnel has been closed in both directions after a power outage, with motorists told to expect severe delays

Drivers are being directed towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge following the power failure shortly after 10am

Drivers are being directed towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge following the power failure shortly after 10am

'Traffic is very heavy as motorists already in the area are being diverted [from the tunnel] over the bridge,' she told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Workers are attempting to fix the power outage but it is not clear how long they might take.

The official advice is to 'avoid the area', 'stay away' and consider using the Anzac or Ryde Bridges, or Victoria Road. 

An Ausgrid spokesman said: 'Emergency crews from Ausgrid are working to safely reconnect electricity supply to the Sydney Harbour Bridge as quickly as possible.

'Power to the tunnel was interrupted shortly after 10am by a momentary outage affecting major substations at Crows Nest and North Sydney. 

'Supply was safely restored to all other customers in less than a minute, and investigations into the cause of this outage are continuing.

Workers are attempting to fix the power outage but it is not clear how long they might take

Workers are attempting to fix the power outage but it is not clear how long they might take

'Crews need to carry out detailed on site safety checks before power can be restored to the tunnel.'

Buses travelling towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge are running up to 15 minutes late. 

Motorists already faced congestion on the Harbour Bridge on Monday morning after a collision between a motorcycle and a bus on a freeway near the bridge. 

The biker was taken to hospital in a stable condition.

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