Sydney Harbour Tunnel
The Sydney Harbour Tunnel is a critical and iconic asset for the people of NSW. As part of the Sydney Orbital Network, the tunnel lets motorists cross from one side of Sydney Harbour to the other, by linking the Warringah Freeway at North Sydney with the Cahill Expressway at the entrance to the Domain Tunnel in Sydney's CBD.
A dual carriageway with two lanes for each direction, the tunnel is just under 2.3 kilometres from the northern portals to the southern portals (entrances/exits). The Sydney Harbour Tunnel is made up of three sections: twin 900-metre land tunnels on the north shore, twin 400-metre land tunnels on the south shore and a 960-metre immersed tube across the harbour. The tube consists of eight concrete units.
Construction of the Sydney Harbour Tunnel started in February 1988 and it opened to traffic in August 1992.
The Sydney Harbour Tunnel is located on the traditional land and waterways of the Gadigal and Cammeraygal peoples of the Eora Nation.
Manager
Through a 15-year contract with the New South Wales Government that commenced in 2022, Ventia manages, operates and maintains the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, and operates the Domain Tunnel, for Transport for NSW. Ventia has provided asset management services for multiple motorway tunnels across Australia. The company aims to deliver effective and timely maintenance for the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, maximising its availability for motorists.
Traffic conditions
Live Traffic NSW provides real-time information about incidents and changes in traffic conditions that may affect your journey.
To view real-time traffic conditions for the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, go to LiveTraffic NSW.
Closures and road works
Full and partial closures of the Sydney Harbour Tunnel are required for scheduled maintenance and road works. A detour via the Sydney Harbour Bridge is available during a full closure of the tunnel. During a partial closure, one lane is closed and the other lane is available to motorists. Please drive according to the posted speed limit as maintenance workers may be in the tunnel.
When there is a vehicle breakdown, incident or accident in the tunnel, a full or partial closure may be necessary without prior notice. To view real-time traffic conditions for the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, go to LiveTraffic NSW.
Upcoming planned closures
Full Closures | ||
|---|---|---|
When | Direction(s) | Details |
| 25 September 10:30pm – 26 September 5:00am AEST | Southbound | The Sydney Harbour Tunnel will be closed southbound from 10:30pm Monday 25 September until 5:00am Tuesday 26 September. |
| 26 September 10:30pm – 27 September 4:30am AEST | Southbound | The Sydney Harbour Tunnel will be closed southbound from 10:30pm Tuesday 26 September until 4:30am Wednesday 27 September. |
| 26 September 11:30pm – 27 September 5:00am AEST | Northbound | The Sydney Harbour Tunnel will be closed northbound from 11:30pm Tuesday 26 September until 5:00am Wednesday 27 September. |
Partial (One Lane) Closures | ||
|---|---|---|
When | Direction(s) | Details |
| 28 September 11:30pm – 29 September 4:00am AEST | Southbound | One lane of the Sydney Harbour Tunnel will be closed southbound from 11:30pm Thursday 28 September until 4:00am Friday 29 September. |
| 28 September 11:30pm – 29 September 4:00am AEST | Northbound | One lane of the Sydney Harbour Tunnel will be closed northbound from 11:30pm Thursday 28 September until 4:00am Friday 29 September. |
Information about upcoming Sydney Harbour Tunnel full and partial closures is also provided on LiveTraffic NSW.
To receive regular e-mails about upcoming full and partial Sydney Harbour Tunnel closures, register here.
Community notifications
When a community notification about work associated with the Sydney Harbour Tunnel has been distributed, it will be provided on this web page.
Toll
The Sydney Harbour Tunnel has electronic tolling, and you will need an electronic tag or pass to use the tunnel. To find out how to purchase an electronic tag or pass, please visit
Safety
Ensuring customer journeys are safe and efficient is vital to the operation of the Sydney Harbour Tunnel.
The Sydney Harbour Tunnel has safety features including incident detection and fire safety systems, emergency phones, public address radio, emergency exits and real-time electronic message signs.
Tunnel operations are monitored from Ventia’s control room and the Transport Management Centre.
If your vehicle breaks down or you have an accident in the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, the incident will be detected through safety cameras and monitoring systems. Driver Aid Services will respond immediately to provide assistance.
If your vehicle has an AM/FM radio, please turn it on while driving through the tunnel. Control room operators are able to override AM and FM radio signals to transmit safety and emergency information.
Height clearance
The Sydney Harbour Tunnel’s height clearance is 4.4 metres. Do not enter the tunnel if you are driving an over-height vehicle. A detection system is used to help stop over-height vehicles from entering the tunnel.
Environmental management
Ventia manages the Sydney Harbour Tunnel for Transport for NSW in accordance with an Environment Protection Licence issued by the NSW Environment Protection Authority. Information available to the community as a requirement of the Licence is found here on the Ventia website.
Contact and feedback
For more information, or to make an enquiry or complaint about the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, please contact:
- 1800 771 751 (available 24/7)
- SHTunnel@ventia.com
- Sydney Harbour Tunnel, 130 Mount St, North Sydney, NSW, 2060
To receive regular e-mails about upcoming full and partial Sydney Harbour Tunnel closures, register here.