By the end of the year, Northern Beaches bus commuters will begin using a dedicated southbound bus on-ramp as part of the Warringah Freeway Upgrade, however, a similar lane for northbound commuters isn’t part of the plans.
With Sydney’s population expected to grow from five million to eight million in the next 40 years, the $2 billion upgrade, which is part of the larger Western Harbour Tunnel project, is expected to make the Freeway more efficient, particularly for those catching public transport.
Late last year, the southbound Falcon Street on-ramp opened to general traffic and buses, however, once all the associated works are completed (the plan is mid-2026), it will become a dedicated bus on-ramp. The southbound bus lane, which starts at Miller Street in Cammeray, will provide an uninterrupted path for buses to the Harbour Bridge. Good news for those catching the B-Line.
“The full length of the bus lane between just south of Miller Street overpass to the Sydney CBD is planned to open in mid-2026,” a Transport for NSW spokesperson said.
“This is a key bus corridor which will provide dedicated southbound bus access to improve safety and efficiency for public transport and road users using the Warringah Freeway.”
And for those catching a bus home after working in the city?
Transport for NSW confirmed that a northbound dedicated bus lane, equivalent to the southbound one, isn’t part of the Warringah Freeway Upgrade. Which means buses going north will be with general traffic until they exit the Freeway at Military Road.
“The increase in harbour crossing capacity and efficiency delivered by the Western Harbour Tunnel, planned to open in 2028, would enable faster, more reliable journeys for all vehicles, including buses,” the spokesperson explained.
The current northbound Falcon Street/Military Road bus only off-ramp on the western side of the freeway will be maintained and provide buses priority access from the freeway to Military Road and onto the Beaches.
“Buses will need to fight with traffic to get to the off-ramp, not ideal when more than $2 billion has been spent,” Bel Ker, who has started a petition for Transport NSW to add a dedicated northbound bus lane to the Freeway, said.
“Adding a bus lane would be a minuscule amount of the total cost. I’m told less than one per cent of total cost.
“We should be encouraging public transport use. Failing to provide a dedicated bus lane will result in congestion and longer commute times, deterring people from using public transport.
“Including a northbound bus lane on the Warringah Freeway is an investment in a sustainable future, guaranteed to reap long-term economic and environmental benefits.”
You can find out more about the petition here.
And you can find more about the Warringah Freeway Upgrade here.
