North Sydney drivers are being urged to prepare for major southbound traffic changes on the Warringah Freeway, with new ramp arrangements, earlier harbour crossing decisions and a dedicated bus lane set to reshape trips towards the Sydney CBD from Saturday.
North Sydney Traffic Changes To Begin From Saturday
Drivers heading south through North Sydney will face a changed Warringah Freeway layout from 6 am on Saturday, 2 May, as a series of permanent traffic switches come into effect across one of Sydney’s busiest road corridors.
The changes will affect how motorists access the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Harbour Tunnel, Cahill Expressway and Alfred Street off-ramp. Regular users of the freeway are being encouraged to check their routes before travelling, as several familiar movements will no longer be available once the new arrangements begin.
The key adjustment for many drivers will be the need to choose the correct harbour crossing earlier. Motorists travelling from further north, including from the Gore Hill Freeway and Lane Cove Tunnel, will need to select either the Sydney Harbour Bridge or Sydney Harbour Tunnel lanes about one kilometre earlier than before.
The final decision point will be just after the Miller Street overpass, near the Western Harbour Tunnel portal. This means drivers will have less room to make late changes between bridge and tunnel approaches once they pass through that section.
Falcon Street And Ernest Street Access Will Change
The Falcon Street and Military Road southbound on-ramp will continue to provide access to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Harbour Tunnel. However, it will no longer provide access to the Cahill Expressway or Alfred Street off-ramp.
Drivers heading for the Cahill Expressway will need to use Miller Street or Mount Street instead. Access to North Sydney and Kirribilli will be available through Miller Street and the Pacific Highway.
The Ernest Street southbound on-ramp will also change. From Saturday, it will become a dedicated entry point for the Sydney Harbour Tunnel only. Drivers who need to access the Sydney Harbour Bridge will need to use other southbound on-ramps, including Brook Street, Miller Street, Falcon Street or Mount Street.
Another major change will be the permanent closure of the slip lane that connects the southbound Sydney Harbour Tunnel lanes to the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The slip lane is located just south of the Ridge Street shared user bridge. Once closed, motorists will no longer be able to move from the inner freeway lanes to the outer lanes to avoid entering the tunnel.
Warringah Freeway Upgrade Adds Dedicated Bus Lane
The Warringah Freeway Upgrade will also introduce a new dedicated southbound bus lane, giving buses a clearer route towards the Sydney CBD.
The 2.2-kilometre lane will run from just south of the Miller Street overpass towards the city. It is designed to remove two merging movements that previously required bus drivers coming from the north to move through general traffic before reaching the bus lane.
Cars and other general traffic will no longer be able to cross the bus lane between Falcon Street and the Cahill Expressway. The change is intended to reduce weaving movements and improve reliability for buses travelling along the corridor.
The Falcon Street and Military Road southbound bus on-ramp will also become bus-only. The ramp had been temporarily shared with general traffic since opening in November 2025, but will operate as a dedicated bus lane under the new arrangement.
The change is expected to support smoother journeys for bus passengers travelling from the North Shore and Mosman towards the Sydney CBD, particularly during peak travel periods.
Overheight Vehicles Must Stay Out Of Tunnel Lanes
The new traffic layout will also affect overheight vehicles and vehicles carrying dangerous goods.
Vehicles higher than 4.4 metres, including their loads, cannot use the Sydney Harbour Tunnel. These vehicles must keep left before reaching the Miller Street bridge and must not use the Ernest Street southbound on-ramp, as that ramp will lead only to the tunnel.
Overheight and dangerous goods vehicles will need to use appropriate routes such as the Falcon Street or Miller Street on-ramps to reach the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Cahill Expressway. Drivers travelling from further north will need to remain in the left lanes before the Miller Street bridge to avoid being directed towards the tunnel.
The reversible lane south of Miller Street will continue to operate during the weekday morning peak, generally from about 5:30 am to 9:30 am. The lane provides an additional southbound route towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge and will be supported by digital signage.
Drivers Urged To Plan Before Travelling
The traffic switches are intended to simplify southbound movements by removing unnecessary merges and late lane changes. However, the new layout means drivers who rely on familiar daily routes through North Sydney may need to adjust their habits from Saturday.
Digital signs, route updates, letterbox notices, email updates and live traffic information are being used to alert road users to the changes. Map providers are also being updated, although some navigation apps and devices may take time to reflect the new arrangements.
For motorists, the most important change is practical: bridge, tunnel and city-bound choices will need to be made earlier, and some previous movements will no longer be available. For bus passengers, the dedicated lane is expected to provide a more consistent run towards the CBD.
The Warringah Freeway Upgrade is nearing completion, and this latest stage will mark a significant change in how traffic moves through North Sydney towards the harbour crossings.
Published 1-May-2026
