In what is turning into holiday hell, northbound travellers on the Pacific Highway can expect to wait the length of a feature film in a traffic jam at Woodburn today.
And that’s not the worst of it – lengthy delays are expected throughout the holiday period, up to and including January 3.
Southbound travellers will fare better, with 10-minute delays expected on that section of road.
Problems further south
Ten-minute delays are also expected at Coffs Harbour northbound, up to and including January 8.
Northbound traffic is also heavy at Beresfield, Tarro and Hexham, northbound, with 15-minute delays expected there.
Further south, from Tuggerah to Doyalson and Kariong to Somersby, ongoing roadworks are continuing to hold up traffic.
A breakdown is causing further havoc on the overstretched road at Jilliby (both directions), although this the Traffic Management Centre (TMC) says this was clearing at around 1.30pm Thursday (December 27).
Falls hold-ups expected
And if you thought Byron was getting off relatively lightly, that’s not likely to continue, according to the TMC.
With Falls Festival kicking into gear on Monday (December 31) traffic is expected to be heavy on roads approaching the festival site, particularly from Saturday 29 December as festival goers make their way to the campsite.
TMC says traffic will be heavy on Brunswick Valley Way, Tweed Valley Way and the Pacific Motorway.
Fewer injuries
Police say there have been four deaths on the state’s roads since Operation Safe Arrival started at 12.01am on Friday 21 December.
It will continue until 11.59pm on Tuesday January 1.
But they add that there have been fewer injuries and a decline in the number of RBT infringement.
Double demerits remain in place over the entire long-weekend for all speeding, mobile phone, seatbelt and motorcycle-helmet offences.
Assistant commissioner Michael Corboy of the Traffic & Highway Patrol Command, said the roads are still busy with holiday traffic going to or from their destination.
‘I know a lot of people will be discussing what is the best road to take home right now. I can provide one bit of advice – regardless of whatever road you are on, we will be there,’ Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
‘I am pleased there have been declines in the numbers of people detected speeding and drink-driving.
‘At this point in Operation Safe Arrival there has been a decline in the number of people injured in crashes across the state.
‘This means there will be fewer people starting the New Year having to face rehabilitation, time off work and the imposition on family life.’
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
