In the midst of an overheight truck blitz by NSW Police and the NHVR, another truck has caused delays for Sydney commuters by blocking the Sydney Harbour Tunnel southbound lanes.
At 7.48am today (June 6), a truck trigged the sensors on the southbound lanes of the Warringah Freeway, on the approach to the tunnel.
Officers from Traffic & Highway Patrol attended and directed the driver to reverse the truck to a slip lane.
All lanes were reopened at 8.11am.
Police and officers from the NHVR are speaking to the driver and inspecting the truck, a media statement said.
Inquiries continue.
Police attached to the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, alongside the NHVR, are targeting overheight heavy vehicles within the Sydney road network as part of Operation Convoy.
Police say they will be focused on overheight heavy vehicles to detect and prevent any breach of the dimension regulations.
According to the NSW Government, 45 overheight trucks were detected in Sydney Harbour Tunnel in 2022 – almost double the amount from 2021.
Director of Operations Central Region Brett Patterson said the NHVR wants to remind operators and drivers to measure their loads.
“It’s crucial for both operators and drivers to measure the height of the truck and plan their journey ahead of time to ensure they comply with tunnel height clearances,” Patterson said.
“It’s also important to remember that loads can shift during a journey, so checking your load before you commence your trip and throughout is imperative.”
Following a number of incidents of trucks failing to comply with warning signs – and in some cases, crashing into bridges and tunnels – NSW government officials have since increased the on-the-spot fine from $1888 to $4097, with the courts now able to impose a maximum fine of $5500.
Drivers with overheight vehicles can lose their licence for six months, while penalties have also doubled from six demerit points to 12.
Authorities also have the power to suspend truck registrations for up to six months.