MEDIA RELEASE
14 December 2009
PLAN AHEAD AND TAKE CARE WHILE DRIVING
IN THE HUNTER THIS FESTIVE SEASON
Motorists are being urged to plan ahead, take extra care while driving and ensure vehicles
are in safe condition before travelling in the Hunter region 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 Pacific Highway.
“We all know the holiday period over Christmas and New Year is a busy time on NSW
roads,” the spokesperson said.
“Heavy traffic is expected on the F3 Freeway and the Pacific Highway from very early on
December 26, 27 and 28 until the early evening as people head out of Sydney to spend
the traditional January holiday period on the north coast,” the spokesperson said.
Traffic will also be noticeably heavier northbound on weekends during January.
“Special traffic conditions will be in place to manage traffic and warn motorists of delays,
especially on the F3 near the Kariong Interchange and between the Newcastle
Interchange and the John Renshaw Drive roundabout at Beresfield,” the spokesperson
said.
“Motorists travelling on the New England Highway from the F3 Freeway to Hexham Bridge
can also expect heavy traffic.
“Motorists travelling south on the Pacific Highway from north of Bulahdelah and to
Raymond Terrace and Hexham Bridge can expect heavy traffic on weekends throughout
January as the changeover of holiday accommodation occurs.
Traffic conditions should be improved north of Karuah after 23 kilometres of four lane
divided highway opened in October, however, heavy queuing and lengthy delays can be
expected on the approaches to Bulahdelah.
In addition to the fixed electronic message signs (VMS), portable VMS will be deployed at
strategic locations along the Pacific Highway to provide motorists with information on traffic
queuing and delays, incidents and changed traffic conditions, and road safety messages.
Additional traffic commanders and Traffic Emergency Patrol crews will be patrolling the F3
and Pacific Highway. They will patrol critical locations and provide details of delays or
incidents. Crews will also provide a response to unplanned incidents if required.
Motorists are encouraged to make use of driver reviver facilities at Ourimbah, Beresfield
and Twelve Mile Creek, particularly before travelling through those locations with lengthy
delays.
“Take care, obey the road rules, drive safely and have regular breaks if you are planning to
travel long distances,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said to ensure the safety of motorists, major road work would be kept to
a minimum.
“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 
