MEDIA RELEASE
14 December 2009
PLAN AHEAD AND TAKE CARE WHILE DRIVING
ON THE F3 THIS FESTIVE SEASON
Motorists are being urged to plan ahead, take extra care while driving and ensure vehicles
are in safe condition before travelling on the F3 this Christmas and New Year holiday
period.
An RTA spokesperson said traffic increases by up to 50 per cent during the busy
Christmas school holidays, especially on major roads like the F3.
“We all know the holiday period between Christmas and New Year is a busy time on the
F3,” the spokesperson said.
“The F3 is not like other Sydney road. It is one of the busiest roads in the country and
carries more than 70,000 vehicles a day.
“The freeway is 127 kilometres long, cuts through mountains, passes through bushland,
crosses gorges, the Hawkesbury River and Mooney Mooney Creek.
“Take care, obey the road rules, drive safely and have regular breaks if you are planning to
travel long distances.”
The spokesperson said to ensure the safety of motorists, road work would be kept to
minimum.
“No major work is planned to take place on the F3 over the holiday period,” the
spokesperson said.
“The recent opening of the new lanes on the F3 will also help get people moving this year.
The $104 million project provides six lanes of traffic heading north and for people coming
back to Sydney or visiting the state capital.
“Traffic delays are expected from Friday 18 December through to Monday 4 January at
several locations along the Pacific Highway including Bulahdelah, Kew, Kempsey,
Macksville, Coffs Harbour and Ballina.
The RTA will have in place a holiday traffic management plan to manage the expected
additional holiday traffic
“Traffic volumes on all major highways are expected to be at their highest on Friday 25,
Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 December.
“Motorists are urged to plan their trips and take a break every two hours, making use of the
more than 1400 rest areas and driver reviver sites across the state,” the spokesperson
said.
There are also a range of road closures and special event clearways associated with
Christmas and preparation for New Year’s Eve as well as removal of festive season
decorations after the events.
The spokesperson said in Sydney, there will be a number of events which will impact on
traffic.
“For full details of road closures, safety tips and rest areas are available from the RTA
CONTACT:
RTA Media Unit 8588 5999
NEWS 
