28 April 2026
From 6am this Saturday May 2, major traffic changes will come into effect as part of the Warringah Freeway Upgrade, requiring motorists to adjust lanes and ramps.
Key changes:
- Harbour Bridge Slip Lane Removal and Early Decision Point: The slip lane just south of the Ridge Street shared user bridge connecting to the Sydney Harbour Bridge is being permanently removed. Drivers traveling southbound from the north must now choose between the Bridge or Tunnel significantly earlier—at the West Street bridge. The final opportunity to switch routes will be 350 metres south of the Miller Street bridge in Cammeray, adjacent to the new Western Harbour Tunnel portal.
- Ernest Street Access Dedicated to Tunnel: Access to the Sydney Harbour Bridge from the Ernest Street southbound on-ramp will cease. The ramp will now serve as a dedicated entry point for the Sydney Harbour Tunnel only.
- Falcon Street On-Ramp Changes: The Falcon Street/Military Road interchange will redirect general traffic to the western on-ramp for access to the Bridge or Tunnel. The new eastern on-ramp becomes a dedicated 24-hour bus lane. Additionally, all access to the Cahill Expressway and the Alfred Street off-ramp from this interchange is severed.
- New Southbound Bus Corridor: A new dedicated southbound bus lane will open along the freeway, running from south of the Miller Street overpass to the CBD and Harbour Bridge. The launch includes a new southbound bus on-ramp at Mount Street, which links directly to the bus lane, eliminating a previous conflict point where buses and general traffic crisscrossed. This new corridor is designed to boost public transport efficiency and safety.
The $2 billion+ Warringah Freeway Upgrade, a project that began in March 2022 and is set for completion in late 2026.