THE tunnel collapse on Parkes Way, caused by an excavator atop a truck slewing into the ceiling of the overpass at around 10.30 this morning, has caused traffic chaos that is likely to continue with Parkes Way between Clunies Ross Street and Edinburgh Avenue closed in both directions until further notice.

Westbound traffic leaving the city will be diverted right on to Coranderrk Street, left on to  Cooyong Street, straight onto Barry Drive, left onto Clunies Ross Street and right back on to Parkes Way.

Traffic travelling westbound from Commonwealth Avenue, on to Parkes Way, will be directed through to London Circuit and Northbourne Avenue, left on to Barry Drive, left on to Clunies Ross Street and right back on to Parkes Way.

Eastbound traffic heading into the city will be diverted left on to Clunies Ross Street, right on to Barry Drive, straight on to Cooyong Street, right on to Coranderrk Street and back on to Parkes Way.

Electronic message signs will be erected to alert people to the diversions in place.

Contact Access Canberra on 132281 for up-to-date information on road closures.

[Photo by Sheridan Burnett]

UPDATE: The ESA advises that the following changes have been made to bus routes:

ACTION service disruptions have been identified as:

Route 81 which services the National Zoo and Aquarium, National Arboretum, Black Mountain Tower and the Australian National Botanic Gardens will depart from the city and travel down Clunies Ross Street instead of Parkes Way, to continue normal running.

Routes 718 and 719 to the Tuggeranong Valley which commence this afternoon from the city at 4.14 pm will depart the city bus station and travel down Commonwealth Avenue and Cotter Road instead of Parkes Way.

Stop 4633 Edinburgh Ave/Rydges Canberra, will not be serviced during this time. Passengers will need to catch the route 81, with the diversion, to access the city. Passengers accessing services 718 and 719 from this stop will need to walk to the City West Bus Station and catch services from Stop 1821, City West Platform 1.

Passengers should expect major delays to travel times due to the diversions in place.

No school services affected.

Passengers are advised to try Park & Ride from Fyshwick DFO for all 200 services into the City.

School bus routes have not been directly affected, however delays to bus services are expected.

13:53

This tweet just in:

UPDATE Acton Tunnel. East bound lanes only (heading towards the City) open with a temp 40km speed limit. Please drive safely!

— ACTPol_Traffic (@ACTPol_Traffic) October 20, 2015

More in from the ESA:

The eastbound lanes of Parkes Way through Acton Tunnel are now open to traffic with a 40 kilometre per hour speed limit in place in the tunnel. Motorists are urged to drive with extra care in the area.

Parkes Way between Clunies Ross Street and Edinburgh Avenue remains closed westbound leaving the city, until further notice.

Westbound road users are encouraged to take an alternative route and plan their journey home. If possible, leave before or after the peak period.

Westbound traffic leaving the city will be 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 travelling westbound from Commonwealth Avenue, onto Parkes Way, will be 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.

Electronic message signs have been erected to alert people to the diversions in place.

ACT Fire & Rescue has handed over the scene to ACT Policing.

3:06pm

And this:

ACT Policing is now on the scene at Parkes Way investigating the collision.

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.

Routes 718 and 719 to the Tuggeranong Valley which commence this afternoon from the city at 4.14 pm will be diverted via Commonwealth Avenue and Cotter Road 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.

Passengers should expect delays to travel times due to the diversions and traffic congestion in the area. ACTION recommends that people should incorporate additional travel time into their journey.

No school services are affected.

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.

15:12