Image: Seven News

A man has been brought down safely after spending five hours on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, causing chaos for the morning commute.

The man illegally climbed onto the structure at around 4.30am, prompting a major police operation.

Officer negotiated with the man, who repeatedly gesticulated for them to phone him.

All northbound lanes were closed with traffic queuing back to Gladesville on Victoria Road.

Southbound traffic trailed all the way back to North Epping on the M2.

All lanes are now open on the bridge, but it will take hours for heavy traffic conditions to ease.

After five hours, police managed to bring the man back down safely and take him into custody.

Sydney City Police Area Command Superintendent Michael Fitzgerald tells Ray Hadley the man is being assessed at St Vincent’s Hospital.

“This young man has got some significant issues that hopefully the hospital will deal with and then we’ll deal with him from a criminal justice perspective after that.”

Police are continuing to negotiate with a man who’s scaled the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

There’s no two ways about it, your run to work will be an absolute nightmare.

Details >> https://t.co/yJCAPBI4RC pic.twitter.com/kEny9OiezN

— 2GB 873 (@2GB873) April 3, 2018

Sydney Harbour Bridge: A man has illegally climbed the southern arch of the bridge. Some lanes closed in both directions due to the police operation. Lengthy traffic jams both sides of the bridge. Live updates on @sunriseon7. https://t.co/jKxA4LcbjG #SydneyHarbourBridge #7News pic.twitter.com/evMrLI0p36

— 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) April 3, 2018

Click PLAY below to hear from Superintendent Michael Fitzgerald