Traffic has been backed up for 23kilometres across the Sydney Harbour Bridge after a man scaled the iconic structure.
Furious commuters were trapped at peak hour on Wednesday after the man illegally climbed the bridge, causing northbound lanes to close.
Police rescue crews are negotiating with the man, who is sitting inside a metal section of the bridge, rolling a cigarette while seemingly listening to music.
Traffic has been backed up for 23kilometres across the Sydney Harbour Bridge after a man scaled the iconic structure
The man was seen sitting inside a metal infrastructure, rolling a cigarette while seemingly listening to music
All northbound lanes are closed to traffic, with the traffic backed up for more than 5km just before 7am
Police rescue crews are currently trying to coax the man down after he scaled the iconic structure at around 4.30am on Wednesday
All northbound lanes were closed shortly after police arrived, with the traffic backed up for more than 5km just before 7am.
By 8am, northbound traffic was queued nearly 20km to Victoria Road in Huntley’s Point.
Two of the four lanes have since reopened, but authorities have warned commuters the bridge could fully shut down if the situation escalates.
Footage showed police negotiators attempting to get close to the man, who quickly climbed the bridge truss and scampered away.
Police rescue officers followed him along the structure, but it is proving difficult to reach him because he keeps moving, a NSW Police spokeswoman said.
Later, the man made hand gestures at police, appearing to ask them to call his mobile phone.
Footage showed police negotiators attempting to get close to the man, who quickly climbed the bridge truss and scampered away
An unauthorised man has climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge, bringing early morning traffic to a standstill
The man made hand gestures at police, appearing to ask them to call his mobile phone
The man left a bicycle in the middle of the road before making the climb, it is understood.
Traffic Management Centre’s David Wright said the chaos is likely to go on for hours.
‘It doesn’t look like it’s going to have a quick resolution, is the information that we’re getting, it’s basically going to throw peak into chaos for anyone coming into the Sydney CBD,’ he told the ABC.
‘If you are travelling into the CBD whether it’s from the upper north shore, the lower north shore, the northern beaches, the inner west – you will be delayed significantly due to this major problem on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.’
It is proving difficult reach the man because he keeps moving, a NSW Police spokeswoman said
A large police presence as well as rescue squads and emergency services have gathered at the scene
A large police presence as well as rescue squads and emergency services are gathered at the scene.
The Harbour Tunnel is currently open, with motorists advised to check for updates.
Buses heading south across the bridge are delayed by up to 30 minutes, but trains are running as normal so far.
Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge is illegal unless authorised.
The view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge looking towards the city as all four northbound lanes were closed
Buses heading south across the bridge are delayed by up to 30 minutes, but trains are running as normal so far