Sydneysiders and visitors are encouraged to plan ahead over the summer holidays as Sydney hosts major events and Transport for NSW takes advantage of the quieter holiday period to carry out upgrade works.

Transport for NSW Coordinator-General Howard Collins urged motorists to be patient, with heavy traffic and delays expected on key roads heading out of Sydney into the regions.

“We want everyone to arrive safely wherever they are going over the summer holidays. Please prepare before you go, slow down, and take extra care on the roads.

Warringah Freeway Upgrade:

Motorists are advised of major works for the Warringah Freeway Upgrade, from 10pm Friday 26 December 2025 to 6am Monday 26 January 2026.

Major traffic impacts over this period will include a continuous closure of the new Alfred Street southbound off ramp from 9pm 4 January to 5am 26 January.

There will also be a temporary continuous closure of the Miller Street northbound off ramp from 7pm 1 January to 5am 26 January, 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.

Mr Collins said 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% lower at peak times and an average of around 30% lower across the day.”

“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” Mr Collins said.

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 left to go.”

“This means the freeway configuration will have changed 290 times by the time we have completed the upgrade in late 2026” Mr Collins said.

You can find more details on Warringah Freeway Upgrade works nswroads.work/wfu-summerholidaywork.

Western Harbour Tunnel (WHT):

Motorists are also advised of work for the Western Harbour Tunnel project from 28 December, to install an Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) network around the tunnel entry and exit portals in City West Link, Rozelle.

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.

We will be working 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 27 December, 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” Mr Collins said.

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 reminded that NSW Police will enforce double demerit points for speeding and motorcycle helmet, seatbelt and mobile phone offences from Wednesday 24 December to Sunday 4 January.

“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.

“The summer months are packed with major outdoor events, music festivals, NYE celebrations and Test cricket. Fans are urged to consider public transport to get to events in the city and allow lots of extra travel time if enjoying events in the regions.”

Motorists are reminded to expect queuing and delays, stay alert, and always follow signs and speed limits.

“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.” Mr Collins said.

“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.”

For bushfire advice and warnings, visit the RFS Fires Near Me and download the Hazards Near Me app or find your local ABC radio station.

For more details about predicted delays at known holiday traffic pinch points, visit NSW Holiday and Journey planning.

For the latest traffic updates, download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701. To receive updates direct to your phone, search for the pinch point in your Live Traffic app, select the holiday traffic pin and click ‘Follow’.

Trackwork:

Major trackwork from Friday 26 to Monday 30 December will affect Sydney Metro and Sydney Trains services on parts of the rail network.

“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,” said Mr Collins.

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 22 December, 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.

For the latest public transport and trackwork information and to plan your trip, visit transportnsw.info or download the Opal Travel App or transport apps for real-time updates.

Transport for NSW thanks motorists and passengers for their patience during this time.