Sydney police took a man into custody on Wednesday after he climbed the city's famous harbour bridge during peak hour, causing traffic delays and commuter chaos. 

Police eventually arrested the man after an ordeal lasting around five hours.

The incident caused commuter chaos in the heart of Australia's largest city. 

Local media reported the man climbed the bridge around 4.30am Sydney time, making his way to a precarious position right above the morning traffic.

Government officials said they understood it was a bad day for Sydney's commuters but told local TV that short of wrapping the bridge in barbed wire, there was little they could do to keep climbers off the landmark.

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