With major events hitting Sydney over the summer holidays, Sydneysiders and visitors are encouraged to plan ahead over the summer holidays, as Transport for NSW takes advantage of the quieter holiday period to carry out upgrade works also.
Warringah Freeway Upgrade:
Major works will be starting on the Warringah Freeway, from 10pm Friday December 26, 2025 to 6am Monday January 26, 2026.
Major traffic impacts over this period will include a continuous closure of the new Alfred Street southbound off ramp from 9pm January 4 to 5am January 26.
There will also be a temporary continuous closure of the Miller Street northbound off ramp from 7pm January 1 to 5am January 26, and multiple temporary lane and ramp closures. In addition, there will be multiple overnight full closures of the freeway, including total closures of the freeway in both directions or full closures of either the southbound or northbound lanes of the freeway.
TfNSW coordinator-general Howard Collins says the intensive work blitz has been scheduled to take advantage of the lower-than-normal traffic volumes during the holiday period.
“We are doing these works during this time because traffic volumes are around 43 per cent lower at peak times and an average of around 30 per cent lower across the day,” he says.
“The overall programming reduces the need for up to 70 standard night shifts and the need for up to six 56-hour weekend shutdowns that we would otherwise need to schedule at other times throughout the year.”
Work will not take place on Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day and will not impact Sydney’s New Year celebrations.
“By the end of this intensive period of works, a total of 270 TMPs (traffic management plans) will have been completed on the project, with just 20 to go,” Collins says.
“This means the freeway configuration will have changed 290 times by the time we have completed the upgrade in late 2026.”
Western Harbour Tunnel (WHT):
The Western Harbour Tunnel project will have an Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) network installed around the tunnel entry and exit portals in City West Link, Rozelle from December 28.
These systems provide real time information and advanced warning to drivers using the road network and will be critical for the safe and efficient operation of Western Harbour Tunnel when it opens to traffic in 2028.
There will be works in City West Link, Rozelle and Lilyfield, and The Crescent and Johnston Street, Annandale, during the day and night over the school holiday period.
Work will not take place on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day and will not impact Sydney’s New Year celebrations.
This work will include digging trenches and cable pits, pouring concrete foundations for variable message signs (VMS) and other ITS equipment and reinstating the road and pavement surfaces when our work is complete.
Holiday Traffic:
The busiest days for holiday traffic are expected around Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and the first and second of January.
“From Saturday December 27, we expect significant delays for motorists leaving Sydney heading north on the M1 Pacific Motorway and Pacific Highway, heading west on the Great Western Highway, and heading south on the Princes Highway,” Collins says.
There are several known pinch points on the Pacific Highway including Coffs Harbour, Tugun, and Hexham heading north; Mt Victoria on the Great Western Highway going west; and Nowra, Jervis Bay, Milton and Ulladulla on the Princes Highway heading south.
Motorists are warned that NSW Police will enforce double demerit points for speeding and motorcycle helmet, seatbelt and mobile phone offences from Wednesday December 24 to Sunday January 4.
“Summer is one of the busiest times for Sydney Airport. Passengers should allow plenty of extra travel time and consider using public transport to avoid delays,” Collins says.
“NSW has been told to expect an increased risk for bushfires. If you are going to the regions, please check conditions before you travel. Transport works closely with emergency services to keep communities safe and provide safe travelling conditions for motorists on the network.
“If you are out on the water, remember to monitor weather conditions and wear a lifejacket to ensure everyone is safe. Our waterways are usually very busy over the Christmas and New Year period.”
Trackwork:
The Sydney Metro and Sydney Trains services on parts of the rail network will be affected by major trackwork from Friday 26 to Monday 30 December.
“We urge passengers to plan ahead as metro services will not be operating on these two weekdays. Where possible passengers can use alternative public transport modes,” Collins says.
From Friday 26 to Sunday 28 December, buses replace trains between Parramatta or Bankstown and Olympic Park.
From Saturday 27 to Tuesday 30 December, metro services do not run between Tallawong and Sydenham. Passengers can use Sydney Trains services between Chatswood and Sydenham.
From Monday 29 to Tuesday 30 December, trackwork also affects trains in the city.
In the CBD, passengers can use light rail services from Central, Town Hall, QVB, Wynyard, and Bridge Street to Circular Quay.
Passengers should plan ahead and allow extra travel time. Sydney Metro and Sydney Train services will be back for New Years Eve, the busiest night of the year.
From Monday December 22, summer timetables start with extra ferries to and from the Sydney CBD.
From Saturday 24 to Sunday 25 January, trains do not run on the City Circle or between Wynyard and Central. Passengers should use light rail or local buses in the city. Buses will also replace Inner West trains between Strathfield and Central.
M1 metro services will also not run with buses replacing services between Tallawong and Chatswood only.