Transport NSW has warned commuters to brace for travel chaos today as the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge is shut down for a rally for several hours.

Authorities have warned people to avoid non-essential travel with heavy delays expected in the Harbour Tunnel, the key route for Sydneysiders when the bridge is inaccessible.

It is expected the bridge will be shut down to traffic from 11.30am until 4pm today.

The Supreme Court ruled in favour of the pro-Palestinian protest, organised by the Palestine Action Group, after the NSW police commissioner sought to prohibit the march on public safety grounds.

A heavy police presence is expected as officers are pulled from their core duties in local area commands across the city.

“We ask all the participants listen to police, be respectful, there will be large crowds. we will have to facilitate this carefully,” NSW Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Peter McKenna told the media yesterday.

“Nothing changes for us in the fact that people who come in to do the right thing and have a safe protest, then we will facilitate that, we will work with them. 

“But if people come in to commit any type of offences, any anti-social behaviour or anything else that puts the public safety at risk, we will have no hesitation to take action.”

There are also plans for a pro-Palestine protest on Melbourne’s King Street Bridge today.

Thousands are expected to descend on the area after police requested they change their route over concerns  emergency services vehicles won’t be able to get through.

The march will begin at the State Library at 12pm.

Premier Jacinta Allen warned anyone who “disrupts” emergency services will be dealt with “swiftly” by police.

Pro-Palestine protests, which have taken place every week since October 7, 2023, have called for an immediate Israel ceasefire and withdrawal from Gaza and are now marching to highlight the need for aid in the region.