Update: Southbound lanes of the M1 Pacific Motorway have reopened in the St Helena Tunnel in Ewingsdale following a crash involving a caravan and a car.
Southbound lanes of the motorway had been closed in the tunnel while traffic diverted at Myocum Road/Ewingsdale Road and Hinterland Way via Bangalow.
Motorists are advised to continue to allow additional travel time until traffic returns to normal through the area.
For the latest traffic information, visit www.livetraffic.com.
Original report: An accident involving two cars and a caravan has prompted the sudden closure of the St Helena southbound tunnel on the M1 at around 12.15pm, causing traffic chaos and significant congestion at the approach.
Apart from signs and traffic control devices moving vehicles off the motorway at Ewingsdale, there was no signage advising motorists of what alternate routes they could take.
The writer saw at least one car drive around the closed boom gate to the southbound ramp at the Ewingsdale Road roundabout, with dozens more piled up at the side of the road, drivers clearly uncertain as to where to go next.
At around 12.30pm traffic also appeared to be gridlocked at the tunnel approach, with no opportunity for vehicles to make a u-turn.
According to the Traffic Management Centre, southbound motorists are being diverted off the motorway at Myocum Road/Ewingsdale Road and encouraged to take Hinterland Way via Bangalow.
Traffic is heavy so motorists are advised to allow additional travel time.
Emergency services and traffic crews are on site.
For the latest traffic information, visit www.livetraffic.com.
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