The Sydney Harbour Bridge is closed to cars on Sunday morning for the final event in the WorldPride festival, when 50,000 people are expected to walk across the landmark in a statement of global equality.
The marchers started in North Sydney at 7am, and are heading across the bridge before ending at the Domain and Hyde Park North, dressed in colour to mark the final event in the 17-day festival. It is scheduled to run to 10am.
NSW Police have reminded motorists that significant road closures and special event clearways will be in place in and around the CBD, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Warringah Freeway, Cahill Expressway at Macquarie Street.
The bridge will re-open to traffic at 11.30am but special event clearways will remain in the CBD, North Sydney, Pyrmont, Darling Harbour and Moore Park until 1.30pm, and police warned that cars parked in marked areas, including those with residents’ permits, will be towed away.
Buses that usually travel over the Harbour Bridge are starting and ending their trips at North Sydney or in the city while the bridge is closed. Anyone needing to travel across the bridge by public transport can catch a train instead.
Oxford Street remains closed between Flinders Street and Liverpool Street in Darlinghurst until 4:30am Monday for a Sydney WorldPride street party, and buses are diverting around the road closures in Darlinghurst until then.
Jason ‘Whitney’ Coombes and his niece Alexandra George will march across Sydney Harbour Bridge together.Credit: Nikki Short
All northbound lanes of Flinders Street are closed from Moore Park Road to Oxford Street. Motorists are advised to avoid the area or be prepared for delays on detour routes through Kings Cross and Surry Hills including William Street and Cleveland Street.
Operation WorldPride 2023 Commander, Assistant Commissioner Tony Cooke, said police had worked closely with event organisers and the roads had been shut to help the event.
“However, we will also work to minimise the impact of the event on the wider community,” Cooke said.
The Sydney Harbour Tunnel and Anzac Bridge would remain open but motorists should leave extra time and expect delays, he said.
“We urge motorists and residents to be aware of parking restrictions and plan their travel in advance. If you must travel into the Sydney CBD, expect significant delays,” Assistant Commissioner Cooke said.
“Participants should also take advantage of public transport when travelling to and from the event as travel is covered by their entry – just present your wristband.”
The march is a statement of solidarity with LGBTQIA+ people around the world and celebrates the 45th anniversary of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, the 50th anniversary of the first Australian Gay Pride Week, and the 5th anniversary of marriage equality in Australia.
However, it also acknowledges that others in the Asia-Pacific are still fighting for equality and offers them strength and experience.
For all special event traffic information and live traffic reports, refer to the live traffic website for details: www.livetraffic.com.
For details about route changes or to plan your trip, go to www.transportnsw.info.