Major city warned to brace for traffic chaos as Sydney marathon gets underway

Sydney residents have been told to brace for significant delays as major roads will be closed for up to 12 hours.

An estimated 40,000 runners were expected to descend on the Harbour City on Sunday morning for the annual Sydney marathon.

Dozens of roads across several suburbs began to close from 3.30am before the various marathon races began from 5.50am.

Organisers urged residents living near the course to leave their cars at home and not drive, instead pointing to increased train and metro services to and from the city.

TransportNSW has warned bus and light rail services will be heavily impacted, encouraging anyone travelling through affected areas to explore alternative transport modes.

The Sydney Marathon is one of the largest marathons held in Australia, with each event commencing at North Sydney Oval before heading over the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The 10km and 4.2km routes will end at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music while the 42km marathon will finish at the Opera House Forecourt.

An estimated 40,000 runners are expected to descend on the Harbour City on Sunday morning for the annual Sydney marathon

There will be various road closures around the city lasting until late Sunday afternoon

Those needing to travel east or west across the court are advised the Cross City Tunnel will be toll-free from 5am to 3pm on Sunday however long delays are expected.

Motorists are advised to refer to the live traffic website for information and live traffic reports.

A high-visibility police operation will be in place for the duration of the event.

FULL LIST OF IMPACTED ROADS FOR SYDNEY MARATHON

Sydney CBD, Circular Quay, The Rocks and Barangaroo

The Sydney Harbour Bridge, Cahill Expressway and Western Distributor will be closed in both directions from 4am to 10am.

Major roads from the city to Moore Park will be closed until 2pm including College St, Park St, Oxford St and Flinders St. Sections of Macquarie St will remain closed until 3pm, while Anzac Pde from Moore Park to Kingsford will be closed from 5am to 11.30am.

Macquarie St from the Sydney Opera House to Hyde Park will be closed from 4am - 3pm.

Roads between York St and Macquarie St in the city centre including sections of Bridge St, Pitt St, Young St, Phillip St Bent St, Hunter St, King St, Elizabeth St, Castlereagh St, Hickson Rd, George St, and surrounding local streets between 4am and 10am.

Park St and William St closed between Elizabeth St & Crown St from 5am and 2pm.

The Sydney Harbour Tunnel and Eastern Distributor remain open however delays are expected.

Eastern Suburbs

Road closures between 4am and 3pm:

Park St / William St between Elizabeth St and Crown St

Oxford St from Liverpool St to Flinders St

Flinders St from Oxford St to Moore Park Rd

College St between Macquarie St and Oxford St

Macquarie St from the Opera House to Hyde Park

Road closures between 5am and 12pm:

Anzac Pde closed from Dacey Ave to Gardeners Rd

Cleveland St closed westbound from Anzac Pde to South Dowling St

Doncaster Ave

High St closed between Wansey Rd and Anzac Pde

Dacey Ave closed between South Dowling St and Anzac Pde

Alison Rd closed between Darley Rd and Dacey Ave

Cleveland St closed eastbound from South Dowling St to Anzac Pde

Anzac Pde closed northbound from Cleveland St to Fitzroy St

Anzac Pde closed southbound from Cleveland St to Dacey Ave

Moore Park, Centennial Park and Kensington / Kingford/ Randwick

Road closures from 4am to 2pm:

Sections of College St, Liverpool St, Oxford St, Flinders St and South Dowling St

Road closures from 5am to 11.30am:

Anzac Parade between Dacey Ave

Moore Park to Gardeners Rd in Kingsford

Cleveland Street (westbound) from Anzac Pde to South Dowling Street

Doncaster Ave

High Street closed between Anzac Parade and Wansey Road

Dacey Ave closed between South Dowling Street and Anzac Parade

Alison Rd closed between Darley Rd and Dacey Ave

Road closures from 5am to 12pm:

Cleveland Street (eastbound) from South Dowling Street to Anzac Parade

Anzac Parade (northbound) from Cleveland Street to Fitzroy Street

Road closures from 5.30am until 1.30pm:

Anzac Parade (southbound) from Moore Park Road to Lang Road

Moore Park Road between Flinders Street and Oxford Street.

Driver Ave

Lang Road between Cook Road and Anzac Parade.

Robertson Road and surrounding local streets.

Road closures from 5am to 2pm:

Park Street and William Street closed between Elizabeth Street and Crown Street

Pyrmont and Darling Harbour West

Road closure from 4am to 8.30am:

Parts of Harris Street, Wattle Street and Allen Street

The off-ramp from the Western Distributor

Bulwara Road and surrounding streets

Road closure from 4am to 9am:

Harris Street, Bowman Street, Refinery Drive, Pyrmont Bridge Road, John Street, Point Street and surrounding street

Road closure from 4am to 9.30am:

Parts of Pirrama Road, Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont Bridge Road, Jones Bay Road, Union Street and surrounding local streets

Road closure from 4am to 10am:

The Western Distributor between Pyrmont and the CBD, including the on and off ramps.

City-bound traffic from the Anzac Bridge will be detoured via the Bathurst St off ramp.

North Sydney

Road closures from 3.30am to 9.30am:

Sections of Miller Street, Ridge Street, McLaren Street, Carlow Street, Berry Street, Walker Street and surrounding local streets

Road closures from 4am to 9.30am:

Pacific Highway between Bay Road and the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Bradfield Highway.