Sydney motorists' Christmas cheer was sorely tested this morning as a computer systems error forced the closure of a major tunnel linking the south-east to the city, bringing traffic to a standstill.
The M5 East roadway links south-east Sydney to the airport. Part of the roadway includes twin 4km, two-lane tunnels. For safety reasons the tunnel is monitored by a series of cameras.
It is believed the failed computer systems has prevented operators from the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority's Traffic Management Centre from viewing footage of vehicles entering the tunnel. "We can't monitor traffic," said a spokesperson from the Traffic Management Centre.
The tunnel was still closed at 09:45 AEST. "We don't know what the problem is, but we are working on it," the spokesperson said.