Delays Expected on M5 Motorway and Around School Zones This Thursday

Sydney Commute: Heavy Traffic Expected as Schools Return and M5 Works Continue

Commuters across Sydney should prepare for a busy morning on the roads this Thursday, 5 February 2026. With the first full week of Term 1 now in full swing, school zones are active and major infrastructure projects are entering heavy work phases. Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time, particularly in the South West and along the North Shore corridors.

Major Roadwork Alerts

The M5 Motorway is a primary area of concern for today's commute. Transport for NSW has confirmed that essential day and night work is ongoing along the corridor between Moorebank Avenue at Moorebank and the Hume Highway at Casula. These works, which began earlier this week, are scheduled to continue through Saturday, 14 February. Motorists should expect lane closures and a reduced speed limit of 40km/h in active work zones. Traffic is likely to be heaviest during the afternoon peak as the transition at the Moorebank Avenue on-ramp continues to cause significant merging delays for westbound drivers.

On the Warringah Freeway, standard day work has resumed between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM. While the most disruptive full-freeway closures are not scheduled until the coming weekend, commuters should still anticipate localized lane shifts and the presence of construction vehicles near North Sydney and Neutral Bay. These upgrades are part of the ongoing Western Harbour Tunnel project, and drivers are encouraged to maintain a steady speed and follow all electronic signage through the site.

Public Transport and Rail Updates

Public transport users in the South West are reminded that the Southwest Link bus services remain in operation. Free replacement buses are running between Sydenham and Bankstown while the former T3 line undergoes its final conversion to metro standards. Commuters should check real-time transport apps for the latest bus frequencies, especially as high-speed testing of new metro trains is increasing along the corridor. For the rest of the Sydney Trains network, major weekday trackwork is currently clear, though standard maintenance may cause minor local adjustments tonight.

Safety and School Zones

With students in the Eastern Division now back in the classroom, all 40km/h school zones are fully operational. These zones are active from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM and 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM. Drivers must be vigilant for increased pedestrian activity around school crossings and drop-off points. Higher traffic volumes are expected near major education and shopping precincts, including Parramatta, Chatswood, and Bondi. Summary of current conditions:

• M5 Motorway: Ongoing day and night works between Moorebank and Casula; expect lane restrictions.
• Southwest Link: Buses continue to replace trains between Sydenham and Bankstown.
• School Zones: 40km/h limits active citywide; please prioritize student safety.