New Year's Day commuter hell: Sydney Harbour Bridge rail line to close for TEN days starting on January 1 - as the NSW government urges travellers to 'plan ahead'
Commuters face significantly longer journeys to work in the new year as the train line crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge closes for 10 days for major track work.
Buses will replace trains between North Sydney and Wynyard from January 1 to January 10 on the T1 North Shore and Western Line to allow crews to replace a timber deck along the bridge's rail line with a more durable concrete structure.
The maintenance work will have a knock-on effect on all other Sydney train lines - most of which will run to a weekend schedule throughout the 10-day period.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the works will affect almost every single rail customer in Australia's largest city.
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Commuters at Town Hall station in Sydney on November 10. Commuters face longer journeys to work in the new year as the train line crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge closes for 10 days
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the works will affect almost every single rail customer in Australia's largest city
'We want people to enjoy Sydney over summer in a COVID-safe fashion, but also to be mindful they will need to plan their trips as this work will affect almost every single rail customer,' he said.
'This work will ensure we continue to provide an efficient network for commuters and is a once in a generation opportunity to extend the life of the 88-year-old railway corridor by 120 years.'
Commuters have been told they should keep in mind buses cannot match the speed or capacity of train services.
Stranded commuters pictured at North Sydney station during train delays in March. Buses will replace trains between North Sydney and Wynyard from January 1 to January 10 as part of the major works
'We strongly encourage everyone to plan ahead, allow extra travel time and consider using the many alternative services we’re operating,' Transport for New South Wales Chief Operations Officer Howard Collins said.
'High frequency rail replacement bus routes would also target the most popular trips and additional temporary trips would be added to the bus and ferry network.'
More than 1,000 tonnes of pre-cast concrete will be shipped to the bridge for the works from Newcastle, north of Sydney.
Sydneysiders wanting to experience the city's famous firework display on New Year's Eve will have to get special permits just to enter the CBD (The 2019 fireworks display)
Sydneysiders wanting to experience the city's famous firework display on New Year's Eve meanwhile will have to get special permits just to enter the CBD.
New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said everyone entering the city must have a booking at a restaurant or venue.
Designated zones will be established for Circular Quay, North Sydney and the city with measures in place to control crowd numbers around the harbour.