The Minns Labor Government is marking another milestone on the Warringah Freeway Upgrade, with a series of traffic switches taking place this weekend including a local dedicated southbound bus lane that will mean safer and more efficient journeys for thousands of commuters travelling into the Sydney CBD.
The 2.2km bus lane, running from just south of the Miller Street overpass uninterrupted into the city, is a major step forward in improving traffic flow on one of Australia's busiest transport corridors.
It will cut travel times for bus commuters coming from the North Shore, reduce congestion and improve safety for 250,000 motorists who use the Warringah Freeway each day.
The uninterrupted bus lane means bus drivers no longer need to navigate two merges with general traffic to merge from left to right to access the bus lane from the north. Cars and other vehicles will also no longer be able to cross the bus lane between Falcon Street and the Cahill Expressway.
The Falcon Street/Military Road southbound bus onramp which has been temporarily shared with general traffic since it opened in November 2025, will also now operate as a bus only lane. This will ensure a smoother journey for thousands of commuters coming from Mosman to the CBD.
These changes will deliver faster and more reliable travel times for buses between the Gore Hill Freeway and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, particularly during the morning and afternoon peak periods.
In addition to the new bus lane, new traffic changes coming into place from 6:00am on Saturday, 2 May will play a major role in unscrambling traffic along the freeway, removing unnecessary merges and lane changes.
Drivers are being encouraged to familiarise themselves with the changes ahead of making their journey to help reduce congestion and ensure a smooth and safe transition.
Transport for NSW has worked to ensure the community is aware of changed traffic conditions through the roll out of digital signage, email updates, letterbox drops and Live Traffic updates. Transport for NSW is also working with map providers, such as Google Maps and Apple Maps to ensure maps are up to date.
The major traffic switches include:
- The Falcon Street/Military Road southbound on ramp will retain access to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Harbour Tunnel. There will be no access to the Cahill Expressway and Alfred Street off ramp.
- Drivers can reach the Cahill Expressway via Miller Street or Mount Street, and access North Sydney and Kirribilli via Miller Street and the Pacific Highway. Drivers may consider using Sydney Harbour Tunnel, which has a similar destination to the Cahill Expressway.
- The Ernest Street southbound on ramp will become a dedicated access point for the Sydney Harbour Tunnel only. Access to the Sydney Harbour Bridge will continue via Brook Street, Miller Street, Falcon Street, and Mount Street on ramps.
- The 'slip lane' connecting the southbound Sydney Harbour Tunnel lanes to the Sydney Harbour Bridge - located just south of the Ridge Street shared user bridge - will close permanently. Motorists will no longer be able to cross from the inner freeway lanes to the outer lanes to avoid entering the Sydney Harbour Tunnel.
- Drivers travelling from further north, including the Gore Hill Freeway and Lane Cove Tunnel, will need to select either the Sydney Harbour Bridge or Sydney Harbour Tunnel lanes around 1km earlier in their journey. The final decision point is located just after the Miller Street overpass, adjacent to the Western Harbour Tunnel portal.
- Over-height (greater than 4.4 metres) and dangerous goods vehicles must keep left before reaching the Miller Street bridge, as these vehicles cannot use the Sydney Harbour Tunnel. They must not use Ernest Street on-ramp and must use Falcon Street or Miller Street on ramps to join the freeway for Sydney Harbour Bridge and Cahill Expressway.
- The reversible lane south of Miller Street will continue to operate during the weekday morning peak, approximately 5:30am to 9:30am, providing an additional southbound lane to the Sydney Harbour Bridge. This lane can be accessed from the right most lane just after Miller Street and is supported by digital signage.
For the latest traffic updates or to plan your journey, call 132 701, visit livetraffic.com, or download the Live Traffic NSW app.
For driver animation videos and further information go to: Warringah Freeway Upgrade
Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison, said:
"This is a major step forward as we continue the phased opening of the Warringah Freeway Upgrade.
"These changes will simplify this key corridor, delivering safer journeys for the 250,000 motorists who use this corridor daily.
"These changes remove cars from the entire stretch of the southbound bus lane, eliminating the weaving movements that slowed buses down, delivering a smoother, safer, more efficient journey for the 150,000 bus passengers who travel along the Warringah Freeway.
"But I want to be clear, these changes will mean the journey will look a little different for drivers, particularly around how they access the bridge, the tunnel and the city.
"Some familiar routes will no longer be available, and motorists will need to plan ahead and choose their route earlier than they may be used to.
"That's why we're asking all drivers to pay close attention to signage, allow extra travel time, and be patient as everyone adapts to the new layout.
"Our focus is on getting more people where they need to go, safely and efficiently, and this is an important step in making that happen."
Transport for NSW Coordinator General, Howard Collins, said:
"Any driver who will be using the Warringah Freeway city bound after the weekend may face changes to their journey. It is critical drivers understand the changes, which is why we have released a series of practical driver-view animations and moving maps to show motorists the changes.
"Drivers will need to make earlier decisions about whether they're heading for the bridge or the tunnel and some who use Ernest Street and Falcon Street/Military Road will have access to the bridge or tunnel changed with the final decision point now just after the Miller Street overpass.
"It is particularly important that overheight trucks, or trucks carrying dangerous goods, do not get into lanes for the Sydney Harbour Tunnel.
"Overheight truck drivers must not use Ernest St southbound on-ramp which will only allow access to the Sydney Harbour Tunnel. For those travelling from further north, they must stay in the left lanes after West Street to head towards the bridge and avoid travelling to the tunnel.
"Road users know their regular journeys unconsciously, but we urge them to break internal mapping habits and get to know their journey ahead of time. This will help reduce last minute lane changes and congestion.
"Some GPS apps and devices, may take some time to update.
"Tolls are the same whether you're crossing the harbour via Sydney Harbour Tunnel, Sydney Harbour Bridge or Cahill Expressway. So, if you do accidentally end up crossing the wrong way, this won't change for you.
"We know that the changes may take some getting used to but we're asking drivers to plan ahead, be patient as they adjust to the new layout and take extra care while travelling through the area."
