Yarra Trams hopes to have hundreds of metres of damaged overhead tram lines in Melbourne's CBD repaired by the afternoon peak, after a truck pulled them down at a busy intersection.
Police said a truck driver towing an excavator was performing a U-turn at the intersection of Flinders and Williams streets when it hooked onto tram power lines.
The truck travelled several hundred metres, crossing Queen's Bridge and tearing down the lines, Detective Inspector Wayne Newman said.
"The truck driver was unaware at that stage that collision had taken place and has proceeded to travel another few hundred metres, dragging down those power lines before stopping," he said.
"At this stage the power lines are now safe but this collision is going to cause significant vehicular, pedestrian and tram delays through that location."
Yarra Trams said it was a big job to fix the 500-600 metres of overhead cables, but they hoped to have the job done before the afternoon peak period.
One traffic lane is open in each direction but no trams are running on the bridge.
The number 58 tram is stopping either side of the bridge, terminating at Market and Collins streets in the CBD and City Road and Bowen Crescent at Southbank.
Trams are now running along Flinders St and the affected intersections at William and Queen streets have been reopened.
"We're just asking commuters to plan their trip, be patient in and around that location, but as we know it's the CBD and this could have a ripple effect," Detective Inspector Newman said.
