Major Southbound Freeway Closures and NRL Crowds to Impact Friday Night Commute

Significant Disruptions Expected on Major Arteries

Sydney commuters are advised to prepare for a challenging afternoon and evening commute this Friday, 13 March 2026, as major infrastructure projects and sporting events converge. Transport for NSW has confirmed significant road closures starting late Friday evening, alongside heavy traffic localized around Moore Park and Lakemba.

Warringah Freeway Southbound Closure

The most substantial impact for northern commuters will be the full southbound closure of the Warringah Freeway. Starting from 11:00 PM on Friday night, all southbound lanes between the Lane Cove Tunnel and Mount Street will be closed to facilitate essential upgrade works. This closure will remain in place until 6:00 AM Saturday morning. Motorists are urged to use the Pacific Highway as a detour. Additionally, maintenance on the Sydney Harbour Bridge will see up to five lanes closed from 9:30 PM, which is expected to create significant bottlenecks for those traveling toward the CBD from the north.

NRL Peak at Allianz Stadium

Traffic is expected to be heavy around the Moore Park precinct as the Sydney Roosters take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium. With kick-off scheduled for the evening, commuters should expect increased congestion on Anzac Parade and the Eastern Distributor starting from 5:00 PM. Fortunately, match tickets include travel on public transport, and fans are strongly encouraged to leave their cars at home and utilize the L2 and L3 Light Rail services to Moore Park.

Lakemba Nights and Local Closures

In the southwest, the Lakemba Nights markets continue to draw large crowds. Local road closures will be in effect on Haldon Street and The Boulevarde between 4:00 PM and 4:30 AM. Transit authorities warn that traffic in the area will be heavy and suggest using Southwest Link buses, which are replacing trains between Sydenham and Bankstown, to access the event area.

Public Transport and Regional Alerts

While metropolitan train services are largely running to schedule during the day, regional travelers should note that the 2:47 PM service from Sydney to Brisbane will involve coach replacements between Casino and Brisbane. For those beginning their day early, the Lane Cove Tunnel westbound will be reopening at 5:00 AM following overnight maintenance, which may cause minor residual delays for the early morning peak.

Commuter Advice

• Plan ahead for the evening peak, particularly if traveling toward the Moore Park area.
• Northern commuters should aim to cross the Harbour Bridge before the scheduled 9:30 PM lane reductions.
• Check the latest updates via official transport apps before starting your journey.
• Utilize integrated public transport for the NRL match to avoid parking difficulties and precinct gridlock.