A pair of serious car crashes has thrown Perth's afternoon commute into disarray, causing significant congestion on two major arterial routes during peak hour traffic.
Narrows Bridge Crash Blocks Kwinana Freeway Lane
The initial incident occurred on the Narrows Bridge, which carries the Kwinana Freeway northbound through the Perth CBD. Footage from the scene shows multiple vehicles pulled over on the bridge, resulting in the closure of the left lane that turns onto Mounts Bay Road.
This lane blockage has created major congestion, with traffic backing up on approach to the crash site. Speed limits in the affected area have been reduced to 40 kilometres per hour as emergency services work at the location.
Main Roads WA has issued a stern warning to motorists, urging them to allow for safe merging well before approaching the crash scene and to exercise extreme caution when driving through the area. Police are currently attending to manage the situation and assist affected drivers.
Second Crash Compounds Commuter Woes
Just fifteen minutes after the Narrows Bridge incident was reported at 2:06 PM, emergency services were called to another crash on Reid Highway at Erindale Road in Balcatta.
This second collision has blocked the right lane of Reid Highway eastbound, creating heavy traffic conditions that are affecting peak hour vehicles trying to navigate through the area.
Authorities have noted that affected motorists from this crash are out of their vehicles, prompting Main Roads to reiterate their cautionary advice to all drivers in the vicinity.
Commuters Face Extended Delays
The dual incidents have created a perfect storm of traffic problems for Perth commuters, with both crashes occurring during the busy afternoon travel period. The combination of lane closures, reduced speed limits, and increased vehicle volume is expected to cause extended delays for drivers using these critical routes.
Transport authorities are monitoring both situations closely and have reminded the public that real-time updates for these incidents are available through the Main Roads WA website. Drivers are strongly encouraged to check these updates before commencing their journeys and to consider alternative routes if possible.
The timing of these crashes during peak travel hours has amplified their impact on Perth's road network, demonstrating how quickly traffic conditions can deteriorate when multiple incidents occur simultaneously on major thoroughfares.
