A man who climbed Sydney Harbour Bridge has been taken into custody, with roads slowly returning to normal after a police operation caused traffic mayhem this morning.
Sydney Harbour Bridge Photo: AFP
Detective inspector John Maricic said the man rode a bicycle onto the bridge, got off and scaled the fence of the rail corridor before climbing a pylon up onto the beams.
The man, 44, was over a number of lanes which required the closure of the bridge roads, Detective Inspector Maricic said.
"[It was] incredibly dangerous," he said.
"I was seriously concerned for the travelling public travelling underneath him. I did not want him to fall and come into contact with an innocent member of the public."
A police negotiation unit engaged the Woolloomooloo man for nearly five hours until he agreed to come down about 9.30am (AEST). He was known to police.
The man had "significant mental health issues" and his motive was "based on a family issue", Mr Maricic said.
Police said charges would be laid today.
Live Traffic NSW reported vehicles were banked up for southbound commuters for about 20km. All lanes on the bridge reopened just after 10am, and traffic remained badly congested around the Sydney CBD until late morning.
Commuter Zack Jackson said he had been stuck in the gridlock all morning.
"If I could, I'd do a U-turn and go home but I can't. I've got customers ringing me up and busting me - it's very frustrating."
- ABC