Major Disruptions on Great Western Highway and Warringah Freeway This Sunday

Significant Road Closures and Detours in Effect

Commuters and motorists traveling across Sydney and into the Central West this Sunday, 15 March 2026, should prepare for significant travel disruptions. The most critical impact remains the indefinite closure of the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass. Following a major geotechnical failure at Mitchells Causeway, also known as the 194-year-old Convict Bridge, the highway is closed in both directions between Mount Victoria and Little Hartley. Authorities have confirmed the closure will last for at least three months while specialist engineers conduct 3D imaging and remediation. Drivers heading toward the Blue Mountains or Central West must use alternate routes such as the Bells Line of Road or the Hume Highway, adding up to two hours to total travel time.

Warringah Freeway and North Sydney Upgrades

Closer to the city, the Warringah Freeway Upgrade continues to cause substantial delays. A full southbound closure of all lanes between the Lane Cove Tunnel and Mount Street remains in place until 6:00 am this morning. While the lanes are scheduled to reopen for the daylight hours, extensive weekend work in North Sydney and Neutral Bay will continue until 6:00 pm today. Motorists should expect the following changes:

• Multiple ramp and lane closures around High Street, Arthur Street, and the Pacific Highway.
• Reduced lane capacity on the Warringah Freeway northbound and southbound between Milsons Point and Falcon Street.
• Increased heavy vehicle activity as crews install new electronic signage gantries near Berry Street.

In Western Sydney, the Mulgoa Road upgrade enters a new phase today. Scheduled roadworks are commencing at the intersection of McIntyre Avenue and Mamre Road in St Clair, which may result in local lane shifts and reduced speed limits throughout the day.

Public Transport Alerts and Extra Services

To mitigate the impact of the Great Western Highway closure, Transport for NSW has implemented several emergency public transport measures starting today, Sunday, 15 March:

• Sydney Trains is providing additional rail services between Bathurst and Mount Victoria to maintain connectivity for regional commuters.
• Free turn-up-and-go accessible coaches are operating 12 daily services between Bathurst and Katoomba, stopping at Lithgow and Mount Victoria.
• Regional travelers should note that the 14:44 Sydney to Brisbane service will depart 10 minutes earlier than scheduled, at 14:34, to accommodate trackwork requirements.
• Sydney Metro testing continues tonight; from 9:50 pm, services will not run between Central and Sydenham, with commuters advised to use existing rail lines for that section.

Passengers and drivers are urged to allow plenty of extra travel time and check real-time apps before departing, as conditions are expected to be slow across major arteries throughout the afternoon.