Sydney motorists and visitors to the city are being warned to plan ahead as vital roadworks, including on the Warringah Freeway Upgrade, and annual traditions like extra traffic around the Sydney Fish Markets, Sydney Airport and Christmas shopping precincts will add challenges to getting around.
Transport for NSW is taking advantage of the quieter summer holiday period to work around the clock on a number of important construction tasks on the Warringah Freeway Upgrade, including building new overpass bridge piers, installing a new bus on ramp and demolishing old retaining wall and drainage structures.
The work is be carried out between Boxing Day, Tuesday 26 December and Friday 26 January 2024 - but lanes will be opened up and works shut down to facilitate traffic on New Year's Eve.
The price of the focused roadworks campaign will be multiple temporary lane closures in the freeway corridor between Cammeray, Neutral Bay and North Sydney.
The works will save the equivalent of 70 standard night shifts throughout the year and an additional six weekend shutdowns when work goes 56 hours straight.
While the summer holiday period is the quietest on Sydney roads, the Warringah Freeway is expected to have journey times that compare with normal peak times due to the lane closure impacts.
Motorists are urged to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journey. Those catching a flight should leave enough time to get to Sydney Airport and take note of recent changed traffic conditions around Sydney Gateway.
Meanwhile, the usual 36-hour seafood marathon will run at Sydney Fish Market in Pyrmont from 5am 23 December until 5pm Christmas Eve, attracting more than 100,000 people and resulting in extremely heavy traffic around the markets and on approaches, including Anzac Bridge.
Motorists are reminded that double demerit points will be in force from Friday 22 December to Monday 1 January for all speeding, seatbelt, mobile phone and motorcycle helmet offences.
You can find more details on the Warringah Freeway Upgrade portal.
Minister for Roads, John Graham said:
"Construction works on the Warringah Freeway are necessary and specifically timed to take advantage of the time of year that delivers the lowest traffic volumes on the Sydney Harbour Bridge approach.
"But we need to be very clear that this will mean delays. In fact, travel times are expected to resemble peak times on the Warringah Freeway at certain times based on the forecasts of Transport for NSW.
"We want all Sydney motorists to be aware of this so they can plan trips and leave enough time to get to destinations like the Sydney Airport without being surprised that this 24/7 work effort is happening at a time when people may not expect to see heavy traffic.
"We ask for people's patience as we take advantage of this time to jump forward with the project milestones and thank them for their understanding.
"We want everyone travelling on roads this festive season to reach their destination safely - please plan your trip, follow the signs and drive carefully.
"There will be a range of road closures in place for NYE festivities this year, so if you are coming into the CBD for celebrations consider getting public transport and leaving the car at home.
Coordinator General Transport for NSW, Howard Collins said:
"Heavy traffic and delays are expected entering and leaving Sydney over the holiday period, including on NorthConnex to the north, around Sydney Airport as well as slower journey times near major works precincts such as the Warringah Freeway.
"Make sure you're well rested before you head out, stick to the speed limit, wear your seatbelt or helmet, put down the phone and never, ever drive if you're affected by drugs or alcohol.
"If you're heading to sporting matches, concerts and other big crowd events over summer, we'll have extra public transport services running to make your journey even easier."
