Update after commuter chaos on major road
Police and highway crews have reopened multiple lanes on Sydney’s M4 after traffic was blocked from about 5.30am.
A police spokesman earlier said police were responding to a mental health incident and there was no ongoing threat to the public.
All westbound and eastbound lanes of the motorway in Merrylands were closed between Burnett St and the Cumberland Highway.
Motorists were told to avoid the area and allow for extra travel time.
However, emergency services have now cleared the roadway about three hours after the incident begun.
Drivers are still being advised to allow extra time for travel.
Information from Live Traffic NSW showed the delay began at 5.23am.
Police, motorway management and Transport for NSW crews were on scene.
The live traffic map showed about 3.5km of the motorway was shut.
Images from the air taken by Channel 7 showed hundreds of cars and trucks being diverted.
Vehicles were being diverted down Burnett St, Great Western Highway and the Cumberland Highway in both directions.
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