Commuters brace for travel chaos as pro-Palestine rally shuts down bridge

Transport NSW has warned commuters to brace for travel chaos today as the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge is shut down for a rally for several hours.

Authorities have warned people to avoid non-essential travel with heavy delays expected in the Harbour Tunnel, the key route for Sydneysiders when the bridge is inaccessible.

It is expected the bridge will be shut down to traffic from 11.30am until 4pm today.

The Supreme Court ruled in favour of the pro-Palestinian protest, organised by the Palestine Action Group, after the NSW police commissioner sought to prohibit the march on public safety grounds.

A heavy police presence is expected as officers are pulled from their core duties in local area commands across the city.

Hundreds of officers will be deployed to target “unlawful and anti-social behaviour”, NSW Police confirmed today.

”The first and upmost priority for NSW Police is always the safety of those protesting, other members of the public who may be impacted by the protest, and the officers involved in the operation,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Adam Johnson said.

“Police will have a high-visibility presence at the operation today and will work with participants to ensure there are no breaches of the peace.”

The Harbour Bridge closure will also impact some bus routes and the public have been warned the shut down could extend beyond 4pm.

Commuters have been asked to follow police advice and avoid the area unless essential.

The Sydney Metro network is closed today due to planned trackwork.

Johnson told media today that extra transport staff will be on duty to help guide protesters and travellers back across to the southern side of the bridge.

“We’re working hard with transport about how they’re going to get back,” Johnson said.

“It’s going to be extremely busy.”

Police are also preparing for an “unknown number” of protesters to swarm the bridge, which could present a risk of crowd crushes.

“The numbers are unknown. We don’t know,” Johnson said.

“We’re not sure of the numbers coming. We will have to deal with that as it progresses today.

“I’ve put some things in place to alleviate that.”

“We ask all the participants listen to police, be respectful, there will be large crowds. we will have to facilitate this carefully,” NSW Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Peter McKenna told the media yesterday.

“Nothing changes for us in the fact that people who come in to do the right thing and have a safe protest, then we will facilitate that, we will work with them. 

“But if people come in to commit any type of offences, any anti-social behaviour or anything else that puts the public safety at risk, we will have no hesitation to take action.”

There are also plans for a pro-Palestine protest on Melbourne’s King Street Bridge today.

Thousands are expected to descend on the area after police requested they change their route over concerns  emergency services vehicles won’t be able to get through.

The march will begin at the State Library at 12pm.

Premier Jacinta Allen warned anyone who “disrupts” emergency services will be dealt with “swiftly” by police.

Pro-Palestine protests, which have taken place every week since October 7, 2023, have called for an immediate Israel ceasefire and withdrawal from Gaza and are now marching to highlight the need for aid in the region.