Avoid delays on the road this Christmas

Record numbers of holiday travellers are expected to head to regional NSW this holiday season with motorists urged to plan ahead to avoid traffic delays.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said more people than ever would be holidaying in regional NSW due to COVID-19 which would see roads busier than usual.

“It has been a tough year for the people of NSW and we know everyone is looking for a break so we are doing everything we can to reduce travel times and make sure everyone arrives at their destination safely,” Mr Toole said.

“That’s why we have identified bottlenecks and pinch points so people can plan ahead between Friday 18 December and Monday 4 January as well as for the Australia Day long weekend.”

Mr Toole said historic travel data suggested the best times to leave were:

• Between 6am and 9am or after 3pm if travelling north from Sydney and the same for return journeys;
• Between 6am and 11am or after 6pm if travelling south from Sydney and before 9am or after 3pm for return journeys; and
• Between 6am and 9am or after 3pm if traveling west from Sydney and the same for return journeys.
  

Mr Toole said the NSW Government was pushing on with its $107 billion infrastructure program and delivering major road projects that would make journeys safer, faster and more reliable.

“For those travelling north, the $15 billion Pacific Highway duplication from Hexham to the Queensland border is almost complete which will take more than 2.5 hours off your travel time,” Mr Toole said.

“For those heading down to the South Coast, the Princess Highway upgrade is powering ahead with the Albion Park Rail bypass expected to open to traffic by mid-2021, the Berry to Bomaderry upgrade more than 50 per cent complete and major construction underway to the new Nowra Bridge.

“These projects are being carried out as part of a $4 billion investment by the Australian and NSW Governments to deliver a safer, more reliable and more connected Princes Highway all the way to the Victorian border.

‘We’re also planning for the future – with a $2.5 billion investment in the Great Western Highway between Katoomba and Lithgow that will significantly ease congestion and improve travel times for those travelling over the mountains in peak holiday periods.”

To find more about the best times to travel by car, click here.

Real-time information for travellers and alternate route options at key points will also be available via LiveTraffic.com and VMS messages.