Sydney Harbour Tunnel Lane Closures and Blue Mountains Rail Disruptions This Tuesday

Tuesday Morning Traffic Overview

Sydney commuters can expect a relatively stable morning peak today, Tuesday, February 17, 2026, across the primary motorway network. However, major infrastructure projects and maintenance schedules will impact travel times on the M5 motorway and regional rail corridors throughout the day and into the evening. Authorities are advising motorists to remain alert for changed speed limits in construction zones.

Sydney Harbour Tunnel Maintenance

Motorists planning late-night travel should be aware of scheduled maintenance on the Sydney Harbour Tunnel. Starting from 10:00 pm tonight, one lane will be closed in both the northbound and southbound directions. These partial closures are expected to remain in place until 5:00 am Wednesday morning. While the tunnel will remain operational with one lane open in each direction, drivers are encouraged to consider the Sydney Harbour Bridge as an alternative to avoid potential bottlenecks during the maintenance window.

Major Roadworks and Local Delays

• M5 Motorway (Wattle Grove to Casula): Motorists will encounter changed traffic conditions on the M5 between Heathcote Road and the Hume Highway. These works involve lane shifts and temporary speed reductions as part of an ongoing safety program running through late February.
• Campbelltown Road: Utility and survey work is active today between Camden Valley Way, Casula, and Williamson Road, Ingleburn. Commuters in the southwest should anticipate intermittent disruptions and slow-moving survey vehicles.
• Intersection Upgrades: A series of intersection upgrades are currently underway in various metropolitan sectors. Work scheduled between February 16 and February 26 may lead to minor delays during off-peak hours in suburban hubs.

Public Transport: Trackwork and Metro Testing

The rail network remains largely operational for the city peak, with the exception of the Blue Mountains Line. Due to essential trackwork that commenced earlier this week, buses will replace trains for specific services between Lithgow and Mount Victoria. This replacement schedule is set to continue through the end of the month, and passengers should allow for significantly increased travel times when connecting to Sydney-bound services.

In the southwest, preparations for the Sydney Metro extension continue following the recent opening of the Dulwich Hill Station Plaza. While no full line closures are scheduled for this Tuesday, technical testing along the southwest corridor may lead to minor platform changes or timing adjustments for metro services heading toward Sydenham. Passengers are encouraged to check the latest digital timetables before starting their journeys.

Advice for Commuters

With several maintenance projects active across the Greater Sydney area, residents are encouraged to plan ahead. Exercise caution near construction zones on Campbelltown Road and the M5, where work crews are frequently present close to live traffic lanes. For those traveling by rail, particularly from regional areas, verify bus replacement schedules to ensure on-time arrival.