Sydney’s Easter long weekend has had a chaotic start after a bus caught fire in a busy Lane Cove tunnel.
Heavy highway traffic has also plagued motorists seeking to escape the city, with transport authorities urging people to plan ahead after multiple crashes on Good Friday.
All lanes of the Lane Cove Tunnel were closed in both directions late Thursday night after a commuter bus caught fire in the westbound tunnel about 8pm.
A video captured by a motorist shows thick smoke spewing into the tunnel.
On Friday morning, NSW Transport urged people travelling from Sydney on the M1 Pacific Motorway to beware of heavy traffic after two separate crashes at Cowan and Mooney Mooney.
Two of the northbound lanes were closed on the motorway at Mooney Mooney after a multi-car crash on the Hawkesbury River Bridge.
One of the three northbound lanes was also closed at Cowan after a three cars crashed north of the Berowra on-ramp.
“While all lanes are open on the motorway, motorists should exercise caution and allow plenty of extra travel time,” a NSW Transport spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said drivers should allow an extra 40 minutes of travel time.
Heavy holiday traffic is also affecting multiple routes out of the south and west of Sydney.
“In the south, on the Hume Motorway from Campbelltown to Douglas Park, allow around an extra 35 minutes travel time,” thxjmtzywe spokesperson said.
“In the west, on the Great Western Highway from Katoomba to Blackheath, allow an extra 60 minutes travel time.”
