Great Western Highway Closure and Rail Maintenance to Impact Monday Commute

Major Road Alert: Great Western Highway Victoria Pass Closure

Sydney commuters and regional travelers are advised of significant disruptions starting this morning, Monday, March 16, 2026, due to the emergency closure of the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass. The highway is closed in both directions following the discovery of structural movement in the historic bridge. Transport for NSW expects this closure to remain in place for at least three months while urgent repairs are conducted.

Motorists traveling between Sydney and the Central West must use the Bells Line of Road as a detour. Heavy vehicles are being diverted via Main Street, Chifley Road, and the Darling Causeway. Please allow for an additional 60 to 90 minutes of travel time, as heavy congestion is expected throughout the Lithgow and Blue Mountains corridors during the morning peak.

Public Transport: Rail Maintenance and Extra Services

To support those affected by the Victoria Pass road closure, additional train and coach services have been introduced today between Sydney and Bathurst. These services are designed to provide a reliable alternative for commuters who typically drive across the mountains.

However, the broader Sydney rail network is also seeing several scheduled maintenance projects begin today:

• T1 Western Line: Essential track maintenance has commenced between Clyde and Seven Hills. While trains continue to run, passengers should check the Trip Planner for adjusted timetables and potential platform changes.
• City Circle and North Sydney: A major maintenance program begins today across the City Circle and lines through North Sydney and Turrella. Commuters should expect minor delays and frequent service announcements at major hubs like Central and Town Hall.
• T4 Illawarra Line: Maintenance between Sutherland and Cronulla concluded at 3:00 am this morning. While services have resumed, early morning commuters may experience slight residual delays as trains are repositioned.

Sydney Olympic Park and Western Sydney Infrastructure

Road closures around Sydney Olympic Park, which were in place for major events over the weekend, were successfully lifted at 3:00 am. While roads like Dawn Fraser Avenue and Edwin Flack Avenue have reopened, traffic may remain heavier than usual as event crews finalize the removal of temporary infrastructure.

In Western Sydney, work continues on the M12 Motorway project. While the most intensive construction occurs at night, permanent speed restrictions remain in place around Luddenham and Cecil Hills. Drivers are urged to remain alert for changed lane conditions and heavy machinery movements near the M7-M12 interchange site.