Truck with big load gets wedged on NSW highway, causing traffic chaos
The northbound off-ramp on the M1 Pacific Motorway at Cameron Park in Newcastle is expected to remain closed into the evening after a truck transporting a huge piece of refinery equipment became wedged on the guard rail.
The incident has caused traffic chaos, as the scene remains closed to motorists.
Emergency crews and experts including police, Rural Fire Service, RMS, heavy vehicle inspectors and a bridge engineer have spent the day trying to extricate the truck from the off-ramp, but the vehicle is wedged in tight.
Operations have been brought to a halt as the team awaits the arrival of a crane from Sydney.
The salvage operation is expected to recommence at about 8pm on Monday night, with the closure of one northbound lane of the motorway to set up the crane. It is estimated that a full northbound closure of the motorway will commence about 11pm.
A NSW Police spokesman said inquiries were continuing into how the truck became stuck.
"The truck was travelling from Clyde in Sydney's west to Mayfield," he said.
"The male truck driver was not injured. Work continues to try and salvage the heavy vehicle."
Rural Fire Service crews have been called in to assist with fire protection during the evening’s salvage operation. It is understood the salvage crew may have to cut the truck into pieces before it can be removed by crane.
Earlier emergency services were trying to shift the truck, which became wedged on Monday morning.
About 4.30am, the truck was using the off-ramp when its cargo reportedly shifted, causing the vehicle to get stuck on the ramp.
Northbound drivers wanting to travel east on Newcastle Link Road can exit the motorway at George Booth Drive and take Cameron Park Drive to Newcastle Link Road.
Motorists can still access the Hunter Expressway westbound from the off-ramp.