Road and Tunnel Safety
CityLink and safety
Your safety is our priority, so advanced safety systems have been incorporated in CityLink tunnels. These include closed circuit TV cameras that constantly monitor tunnels, automatic incident and fire detection systems, emergency telephones, communications systems and fire-fighting equipment.
Your safety is our priority, so advanced safety systems have been incorporated in CityLink tunnels. These include closed circuit TV cameras that constantly monitor tunnels, automatic incident and fire detection systems, emergency telephones, communications systems and fire-fighting equipment.
Overhead lane signals and signs give safety instructions in an emergency. Please observe the variable speed limits for your safety.
If a vehicle is disabled, hazard lights should be switched on. Blue emergency phones located in tunnels have push buttons to alert control room staff. Hearing-impaired drivers need simply point in the direction of their vehicle for closed circuit TV cameras to identify the location. Control room staff will dispatch an assistance vehicle. Broken-down vehicles are towed to a safe place at no charge.
CityLink safety precautions mean that vehicles carrying placarded loads of dangerous goods or hazardous substances are prohibited in tunnels. Exits are available just before all tunnel entrances.
Notification of an incident or emergency in the tunnels
If you are travelling on CityLink, but have not yet entered a tunnel, the variable message signs located on CityLink will advise you of any disruption to traffic in the tunnel. If you are in the tunnel, you may be notified of an incident in the following ways:
- Radio rebroadcast system: allows the CityLink control room to broadcast information on the AM and FM frequencies received by your car radio.
- Tunnel incident management signs: electronic message boards located over each lane in the Burnley tunnel. They are located at 120-metre intervals. They are pre-programmed with a variety of safety messages to advise motorists of traffic and emergency conditions.
- Public address system: allows CityLink control room staff to communicate directly with motorists.
Radio rebroadcast system
The radio rebroadcast system allows CityLink to override the signal on your car radio with safety messages or specific emergency instructions. When driving in a CityLink tunnel it is recommended to always have your car radio switched on.
Signage provided for emergencies
The CityLink control room will advise motorists of what action to take in the event of an incident. In addition to being notified by the Radio Rebroadcast System, the Tunnel Incident Management System and the Public Address system, there are the following emergency management systems provided in the tunnels:
- Lane use signals: allow CityLink control room staff to manage traffic around an incident or potentially stop traffic if required
- Variable message signs: electronic message boards located over each lane in the tunnels. They are located at 120-metre intervals. They are pre-programmed with a variety of safety messages to advise motorists of traffic and emergency conditions.
- Tunnel emergency signs: consisting of directional EXIT signs, emergency exit door locations and strobe lights to indicate emergency exits.
Safety in the tunnels
The tunnels incorporate some of the most advanced traffic and incident management systems available, including:
- automatic incident detection and closed circuit TV monitoring systems
- emergency response vehicles dedicated to CityLink
- variable message signs and lane use signals to control traffic flow
- emergency telephones
- radio facilities, loudspeakers and radio rebroadcasting facilities
- cross-tunnel pedestrian access
- evacuation stairs to the surface, an emergency escape tunnel and cross passages between tunnels
- extensive fire-fighting technology and equipment including fire detection, fire hydrants and extinguishers, a deluge system, smoke extraction system and fire-resistant cable routing
- uninterruptible power supply/emergency power supply
- internal access for emergency personnel
- three emergency refuges
Breakdowns on CityLink
If your car breaks down on the open road, you should get out of the broken down vehicle and walk BACK to the next motorist emergency telephone. If you can see a phone not too far ahead of your vehicle, use this phone. Walking BACK into the traffic is safer because you can see approaching traffic. It is also better because there is a very real chance that the Incident Response Group will be driving past - reducing the time spent on the side of the road.
The Motorist Emergency Telephones are not for general enquiries nor can CityLink passes be purchased over these phones. They are for emergency use only.
Securing your load
When travelling on CityLink you must make sure that your load is secure. At all times loads are required to be secured in a safe manner. Penalties can apply for insecure loads.
Maximum speed limits on CityLink
Under normal circumstances, most of CityLink has a maximum speed limit of 100 km/h and the two tunnels have a maximum speed of 80 km/h. If maintenance work is being undertaken on the road or tunnels, some lanes may be unavailable for short periods of time, enforcing slower speeds on the remaining lanes.
Speed limits in the tunnels
The speed limit in the tunnels is 80km/h, unless specified by the speed signs within the tunnels. These speed signs show the maximum speed at which you can travel and must be obeyed at all times.
If there is a delay on the exit ramps then the speed limit is reduced to improve driver’s chances of avoiding a collision with the queuing traffic. If there is a delay on the West Gate Freeway or the Monash Freeway the speed limit is reduced to. This is more dangerous when the sun is low on the horizon affecting visibility. It also reduces the volume of traffic reaching the queue and gives prior warning of the problem allowing drivers to make early decisions about which lane to be in the tunnel. If the queuing/congested traffic is backed into the tunnel a lane is closed to reduce the number of vehicles in the tunnel. The clear lane also assists the flow of air and also gives access to emergency and incident response vehicles should there be an incident during these times.
Water leakage in the tunnels
There will always be minor leaks in the tunnels and therefore a need for ongoing maintenance. This may lead to occasional shutdown or lane closure in off-peak periods. This is normal for all tunnels of this type around the world.
Placarded vehicles
A vehicle carrying dangerous/hazardous goods cannot travel in the CityLink tunnels if the vehicle is required to display placards as per the relevant regulations.
What we do to ensure everyone’s safety
- Our dedicated control room constantly monitors the CityLink road and tunnels through a number of safety systems and our rapid-response teams are always ready to roll.
- As a precaution to allow emergency vehicles access at all times, we sometimes close a lane in either tunnel when traffic on one of the adjoining roads backs up.
- To ensure everyone’s safety we apply reduced speed limits in our tunnels when dealing with a breakdown or collision.
- In case of an accident, our incident detection system can pinpoint stationary vehicles in a tunnel in less than 20 seconds and send assistance - all you need to do is follow the instructions from the CityLink control room.
- In the interest of public safety we do not permit placarded vehicles carrying dangerous goods, or any vehicles over 4.6 metres in height.
- To ensure your safety in the CityLink tunnels:
o Always have your radio on.
o Check the electronic message boards.
o Avoid changing lanes.
o Keep your distance from the vehicle in front of you.
o Turn your headlights on.