Planning for this moment has been years in the making. On the eve of the closure of the first section of George Street between Market and King streets, Sydney's top transport officials can only hope that commuters heed their warnings to steer clear of driving into the CBD.

Unlike the Olympics in 2000 which lasted for just two weeks, Sydneysiders are about to endure years of transport turmoil while one of the key arterial routes in the CBD is ripped up to build tram lines from Circular Quay to Randwick and Kensington in the city's east.

The closure of the first section of George Street to vehicles will occur at 8pm on Friday, followed by another strip between Market and Park streets on December 3.

The Baird government admits it will change transport behaviour across the city forever, although no one is exactly sure how commuters will react.