Future road and rail projects will minimise the type of traffic chaos that brought Sydney to peak-hour gridlock following a crash on the Harbour Bridge, NSW premier Mike Baird says.
City-bound traffic on the bridge was backed up for 12 kilometres on Wednesday morning after a head-on collision between a motorcycle and a ute just before peak hour.
Mr Baird has apologised for the inconvenience caused to thousands of Sydney motorists and commuters.
"We thank people for their patience but certainly, as I understand it, they (the authorities) did everything they could to clear it as quickly as they could," he said.
Mr Baird said recent infrastructure projects such as the Sydney Metro rail line would minimise the effect of such incidents in the future.
"Over time that will provide relief in events such as this," he said.
The crash caused the closure of several lanes in both directions on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but all lanes later reopened.
Police said the motorcycle rider, believed to be a man aged in his 30s, was in a serious but stable condition in hospital with a suspected broken leg.
The 25-year-old female ute driver wasn't injured.
Opposition roads spokeswoman Jodi McKay urged the state government to explain why the Harbour tunnel was closed during the accident.
"Thankfully no lives were lost in this accident but events like today's really highlight the fragility of Sydney's traffic network and how easily it can tipped into utter chaos, especially with the closure of George Street for the light rail," Ms McKay told AAP.
She said refunds should be given to motorists who paid a toll on the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Wednesday morning.
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