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Motorists who rely on the Sackville Ferry are being advised to plan ahead next week, with the ferry set to close for several evenings while maintenance works are carried out.
Transport for NSW has announced the ferry service will be temporarily closed from 5pm until 1.30am each night between Tuesday, March 17 and Saturday, March 21.
The closures will allow crews to install wear bars on the concrete ramps at the Sackville Ferry crossing, work aimed at maintaining the safety and longevity of the ferry infrastructure.
Transport for NSW said the ferry may reopen earlier than 1.30am on the final night if the work is completed ahead of schedule.
The ferry will continue to operate as normal outside of the scheduled closure times.
Emergency access maintained
During the work period, emergency services will still be able to cross the river, although motorists may experience delays of up to 15 minutes while the ferry is made available.
Transport for NSW said the evening schedule was chosen to minimise disruption for residents.
“Work hours have been scheduled to avoid weekends, school hours and the morning peak to reduce disturbance to community members travelling to and from work or school,” a spokesperson said.
Detours in place
While the ferry is closed, drivers will need to use alternative crossings.
Motorists can detour via the Lower Portland Ferry while it is operating until 10pm, adding around 20 minutes to travel times.
Drivers on the eastern side of the river can access this route via River Road, while motorists on the western side can travel via West Portland Road.
Another option is travelling through Windsor, which will add about 35 minutes to the journey. Western-side motorists can detour via Sackville Road, while those on the eastern side can travel via Sackville Ferry Road, Wisemans Ferry Road and Cattai Road.
Weather may affect works
Transport for NSW warned that conditions such as wet weather, strong winds, tides or flooding could delay or extend the scheduled work.
Motorists are encouraged to check updates through Live Traffic NSW, by calling 132 701 or visiting the Live Traffic website before travelling.
Authorities have thanked the community for its patience while the maintenance is completed.
