The Acton Tunnel remains closed to westbound traffic on Parkes Way two days hours after the partial collapse of the Acton Tunnel on Parkes Way when a truck carrying an excavator smashed into the tunnel's ceiling.
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The eastbound lanes are open to traffic, and the speed limit has returned to 90km/h after lighting was re-established in the tunnel.
Roads ACT staff and contractors worked throughout Wednesday night to address damage to the tunnel so motorists can use the westbound lanes of Parkes Way as soon as safely possible, the Emergency Services Agency said.
The discovery of bonded asbestos tiles in the ripped undercarriage of the bridge has slowed the re-opening of the tunnel.
WorkSafe ACT says there are no safety concerns associated with using the eastbound lanes of the Tunnel while the remediation work continues.
The asbestos must be removed before the excavator can be removed from the tunnel, which has to then be assessed for structural damage before being reopened to traffic.
"More than 120 panels and structural steel support has now been removed. Work is continuing to decontaminate the vehicle before it is removed from the tunnel," the ESA said in a statement.
"The removal of the truck and associated works are complex and require a large range of expertise. The damage to the tiles, which are 85 kilograms when dry, was also more extensive than anticipated and the safe removal of these has impacted on how long it has taken to prepare the road for reopening."
No time has yet been given for the expected re-opening of the tunnel, and the following traffic diversions continue to be in place.
Traffic diversions
Westbound lanes on Parkes Way are still closed between Clunies Ross Street and Edinburgh Avenue.
Parkes Way eastbound remains open and returns to its regular 90 kilometre per hour speed limit and the lights in the tunnel are back on.
- Westbound traffic leaving the city is being diverted right onto Coranderrk Street, left onto Cooyong Street, straight onto Barry Drive, left onto Clunies Ross Street, Lady Denman Drive and onto the Tuggeranong Parkway.
- Traffic wanting to turn left from Commonwealth Avenue onto Parkes Way, is being directed straight through to London Circuit and Northbourne Avenue, left onto Barry Drive, left onto Clunies Ross Street, Lady Denman Drive and onto the Tuggeranong Parkway.
Bus diversions
ACTION bus services will also continue to be disrupted this morning although school runs are not impacted.
- ACTION's Route 81 which services the National Zoo and Aquarium, National Arboretum, Black Mountain Tower and the Australian National Botanic Gardens will be diverted via Clunies Ross Street instead of Parkes Way.
- The bus stop at Edinburgh Avenue/Rydges Canberra (#4633) will not be serviced during this time by Routes 81, 718 and 719. The alternative bus stop for Route 81 is at the City bus station, Platform 9. The alternative bus stop for Routes 718 and 719 is at the City West bus station, Platform 1.
For up-to-date information on bus services call the ACTION bus information line on 13 17 10 or monitor ACTION's Twitter account @ACTIONbuses.
People can seek advice through through Access Canberra on 13 22 81.
