Monday Commute Alert: Blue Mountains Rail Disruptions and New Roadworks on Parramatta Road

Sydney Commute Overview for Monday, 16 February 2026

Sydney commuters are advised to prepare for a complex start to the work week as several major transport projects enter new phases today. Significant disruptions on the rail network and new long-term roadwork sites in the Inner West are expected to impact travel times throughout the day.

Public Transport: Rail Replacement Buses and Nightly Maintenance

The most significant impact today is for those using the Blue Mountains Line. Starting this morning, Monday, 16 February, and continuing through to Friday, 27 February, buses will replace some train services due to essential trackwork. This scheduled maintenance is part of a broader network reliability program, and passengers should allow for at least 30 to 45 minutes of additional travel time, particularly during the morning and afternoon peaks.

Additionally, Sydney Trains will commence a nightly maintenance blitz between Central and Hornsby starting tonight. While this will not impact daytime commuters, those traveling after 10:00 PM should note the following:

• Buses or altered timetables will be in place from 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM.
• Rerailing and signal maintenance will be concentrated between Central and Wynyard.
• Station maintenance and track defect removals will continue nightly through Wednesday.

Major Roadworks and Arterial Delays

Drivers in the Inner West face new challenges as scheduled roadwork begins today on Parramatta Road. Maintenance activities are situated between Potts Street and Birnie Avenue in Homebush. These works are expected to run until February 26, often resulting in lane closures that will exacerbate congestion on one of Sydney's busiest arterial corridors.

In the south, motorists should remain aware of ongoing capacity constraints in Kogarah. Construction for the M6 Stage 1 continues at West Botany Street, which remains reduced to one lane in each direction between French Street and the northern end of Rockdale Bicentennial Park. This reduction is expected to cause significant bottlenecks during the morning city-bound peak.

Evening Closures: Rozelle Interchange

Looking ahead to the evening commute, a major closure is scheduled for the Rozelle Interchange. Starting tonight, Monday, 16 February, the link from the M4 to the Anzac Bridge will be closed for maintenance. The closure is scheduled to begin at 10:00 PM and will conclude by 5:00 AM Tuesday. Motorists heading city-bound late tonight are advised to use the surface road network via Victoria Road or the Western Distributor as an alternative.

Commuter Advice

With the introduction of rail replacement buses and new roadwork zones at Homebush, the Sydney Transport Management Centre recommends leaving earlier than usual. Commuters are encouraged to use real-time tracking apps to monitor bus and train positions, as the first day of new maintenance schedules often results in unpredictable delays.