Night Work Finishing at Mt Ousley and School Zones Active: Wollongong Commute Update

Morning Commute Overview for Thursday, 29 January 2026

Good morning, Wollongong. As we head into the final days of January, commuters should prepare for a mix of construction-related speed restrictions and the continued return of school-zone monitoring. While major arteries are flowing relatively well, specific infrastructure projects on the M1 Princes Motorway remain the primary focus for those traveling north or south through the region.

Mount Ousley Interchange and M1 Restrictions

A significant reminder for early-morning drivers: the latest block of night works at the Mount Ousley Interchange is scheduled to conclude at 6:00 am this morning, Thursday, 29 January. While the heavy machinery and night crews will be clearing the site, a permanent 60 km/h speed limit remains in effect on the M1 Princes Motorway between Mount Ousley Road and Memorial Drive. This reduced limit is a critical safety measure as the $390 million project continues its excavation and bridge foundation phases throughout 2026.

• M1 Princes Motorway: Expect a 60 km/h limit in construction zones near University Avenue.
• Mount Ousley Road: Increased heavy vehicle traffic is expected near the site as earthworks and drainage installations progress.

School Zones in Full Effect

Following the return of the school year earlier this week, all 40 km/h school zones across Wollongong and the Illawarra are active. Drivers are urged to remain vigilant between 8:00 am and 9:30 am. High-pedestrian areas around Keiraville, Gwynneville, and North Wollongong are seeing increased activity as students and parents adjust to the new term routines. Fines and demerit points apply for speeding in these zones, so please check your speed as you pass local primary and secondary schools.

Public Transport and Rail Alerts

On the rail network, the Illawarra Line is currently reporting a standard weekday schedule. However, for those connecting to or from the Southern Highlands, be advised that the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) begins essential track maintenance today near Tahmoor. This work is scheduled to run from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm starting Thursday, 29 January, and may cause minor disruptions for regional travelers and freight services through next Tuesday.

Local Road Conditions

Within the Wollongong CBD, traffic is expected to build around Burelli and Stewart Streets during the morning peak. No major unplanned incidents have been reported, but commuters are encouraged to allow an extra 5-10 minutes for their journey to account for the increased volume of school-related traffic and ongoing utility works in the northern suburbs.