Sydney M5 motorway tunnel closure due to faulty fan emergency repairs
Consensus Summary
Sydney’s M5 motorway eastbound tunnel was closed on Wednesday morning due to a faulty fan discovered during routine maintenance, causing major delays for commuters. The 25-year-old tunnel, one of 147 fans in the system, was shut after 5am after safety concerns led to the fan’s removal using a crane. Traffic backed up as far as 13 kilometres to Milperra, with both sources confirming delays extended over 10 kilometres. Transurban’s general manager, Denise Kelly, prioritized safety and informed Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison around 4.42am of the closure decision. Premier Chris Minns criticized the disruption, while Transport for NSW urged drivers to use alternative routes like the M8 motorway. The tunnel was eventually reopened shortly before midday, though the ABC noted ongoing efforts to avoid afternoon peak disruptions.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- A faulty fan in the 25-year-old eastbound M5 tunnel triggered emergency works on Wednesday morning, closing the motorway in the city direction during the peak.
- The tunnel was closed after 5am due to safety concerns about the faulty fan, with traffic backed up as far as 13 kilometres to Milperra.
- Transurban’s general manager for WestConnex, Denise Kelly, confirmed the fan was one of 147 in the eastbound tunnel and was removed for safety reasons.
- The decision to replace the fan was made around 4.16am, with Kelly texting Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison about 4.42am to inform her of the closure.
- The tunnel was eventually reopened shortly before midday after emergency repairs.
- Traffic backed up more than 10 kilometres due to the closure, with delays extending from Beverly Hills to Milperra.
- A crane was used to remove the faulty fan, and safety was prioritized over reopening the tunnel during the morning peak.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Premier Chris Minns expressed frustration and said the roads minister would seek answers from Transurban about its maintenance schedule.
- Transport for NSW coordinator-general Howard Collins urged commuters to avoid the motorway 'at all costs' and advised using alternative routes like the M8 motorway.
- The faulty fan was discovered during routine maintenance in the early hours of Wednesday, and the decision to replace it was made after evaluating safety risks.
- Transurban had adjusted all signs and messaging by the time of the morning peak to inform drivers of the closure.
- The incident occurred in December 2025, referencing a similar disruption on the M4 motorway tunnels.
- Denise Kelly declined to commit to blanket toll relief but said individual drivers could seek refunds for delays.
- The closure was deemed unsafe to delay until the evening, with safety as the priority for removing the fan immediately.
- Traffic monitoring showed delays extending more than 10 kilometres, with congestion also affecting diversion routes like King Georges Road and Stoney Creek Road.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The SMH states the tunnel was reopened 'shortly before midday,' while the ABC does not specify a reopening time but mentions crews were working to reopen it before the afternoon peak.
Source Articles
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Fan fault shuts Sydney's M5 in morning rush, causing 10km of traffic chaos
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