Plan ahead for travel around Sydney’s CBD as around 15,000 runners hit the streets on Sunday 21 May for the 30th anniversary of the Runaway Sydney Half Marathon.
This year’s popular event includes a new 10-kilometre course and 4.5-kilometre wheelchair race in addition to the half marathon.
Transport for NSW Executive Director of Customer Journey Planning Grant Knoetze says public transport is the best way to get to, and from, the event.
“The Half Marathon is a major, annual on-road running event and we urge participants to leave the car at home,” Mr Knoetze said.
“On the day, trains will run to a Sunday timetable with early morning services running regularly to Circular Quay, Martin Place and Wynyard which are within walking distance of the new start line on Macquarie St at Bridge St.”
Light rail services will also run to a regular timetable with Bridge St and Circular Quay stops on the L2 and L3 lines within short walking distance of the start area.
Buses in the city and Pyrmont will use different routes and stops while roads are closed for the event so plan ahead to catch buses.
Mr Knoetze encouraged motorists to plan trips and factor in additional travel time as delays are expected while major roads close from 4am and detours in place until 11.30am. Drivers are also reminded that special event clearway parking restrictions will be in effect so check signs carefully to avoid being towed.
“We encourage motorists to avoid travel through the Sydney CBD and Pyrmont on Sunday morning where possible, or allow extra time,” Mr Knoetze said.
“The Western Distributor will close from Pyrmont to the CBD from 6am until 9.30am, there will be no direct access from the Anzac Bridge to the Sydney Harbour Bridge during this time. Citybound motorists on the Anzac Bridge will be detoured via the Bathurst Street off-ramp to rejoin the Harbour Bridge.”
The Sydney Harbour Bridge will remain open however the Cahill Expressway will be closed over Circular Quay from 4am to 11.30am. Motorists should use the Harbour Tunnel to travel south or north of the city to avoid delays through the CBD.
Other major closures include Macquarie Street, Hickson Road, Sussex Street, Pirrama Road and parts of Bridge Street. College Street at Hyde Park North will be closed from 2am to 2.30pm this year, while all other major roads are set to reopen by 11.30am.
Special event clearway parking restrictions will also be in effect on various key roads along, and surrounding, the event course between 12.01am and 12pm midday.
Motorists should check signs carefully and expect parking restrictions around the CBD.
For more information on public transport, visit transportnsw.info.
For road closure details and real-time traffic conditions, visit livetraffic.com.
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