A safety concern during Brisbane Metro tunneling works has prompted an emergency shutdown of a key CBD street, causing hour-long delays for commuters, forcing some people to get off buses and walk the rest of their way to work.
Brisbane councillor Ryan Murphy, chair of the council’s transport committee, released a statement before 10.30am, in which he was thankful “no one was injured”.
Traffic was backed up on Ann Street on Wednesday morning.Credit:Cameron Atfield
All lanes were blocked from all directions on Adelaide Street between George Street and North Quay on Adelaide Street on Wednesday morning, with the Queensland Traffic website urging people to seek an alternative route from about 8am.
The cause of the emergency works was believed to be road subsidence, or deterioration.
“Unfortunately, this morning we’ve had to close a small section of Adelaide Street between North Quay and George streets which has impacted morning commuters,” Murphy said.
“This decision was made for safety reasons after a contractor reported an issue with tunneling works beneath Adelaide Street for the Brisbane Metro project.”
The emergency roadworks on Adelaide Street.Credit:Sean Parnell, Brisbane Times
Earlier, a Translink spokesman confirmed emergency works were behind the delays.
“It looks like the works are causing delays all the way back to Brisbane and West End,” he said.