Woodburn is predicted to be one of the busiest holiday road traffic hotspots this year - with up to 60 minute delays - according to Transport for NSW (TfNSW).

With Christmas approaching, hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers will be heading to their favourite destinations up and down the NSW coasts and TfNSW has predicted the traffic delay times in key holiday hotspots.

TfNSW northern region director Anna Andrews said motorists should take extra precaution when planning their journeys this holiday season - due to the number of uncontained fires and increased traffic volumes along the eastern seaboard.

“Based on last year’s traffic data, we predict the weekend before Christmas and the weekend before New Year will be the busiest times to travel along the east coast of NSW,” she said.

“Woodburn and Hexham in the north have been identified as significant traffic hotspots over this period, with up to 60 minute delays in these locations.

“It’s time to plan ahead and save yourself some journey time.

“There is an alternative route which avoids the significant delays at Woodburn. Motorists can travel between Ballina and Grafton via the Bruxner Highway and Summerland Way.”  

Ms Andrew said to find alternative roads to avoid the queues over the peak travel days, motorists should visit the holiday journeys webpage http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/holiday-journeys

To reduce impact to holiday traffic, no road work will be carried out on the Pacific Highway from 6am Friday, December 20 to 6am Monday, January 6, including no work on the Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway upgrade.

“There have been a large number of changes to the Pacific Highway between Woolgoolga and Ballina since this time last year,” Ms Andrews said.

“By Christmas there will be an additional 10.5 kilometres of four lane divided highway open to traffic.

“Most road work and speed restrictions will be lifted during the Christmas season to make travel easier, except for emergency, maintenance and safety work during this time.”

Electronic message signs will be on the highway providing real time travel advice on the road.

For traffic information about key locations in NSW, visit: http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/holiday-journeys

For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit http://livetraffic.com or call 132 701.

For live bushfire updates, visit: http://rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fires-near-me

Worst days to travel on our roads from this Wednesday when NSW public schools break up

Friday 20th, Saturday 21st, Monday 23rd and Friday 27th December and on Thursday 2nd January

Coastal areas where most delays are expected prior to Chistmas

Woodburn on the far north coast – delays expected in both directions – up to 75 minutes if northbound.

Nowra on the south coast – delays of between 20-45 minutes are expected

Hexham (north of Newcastle) – delays of 40-45 minutes expected

Delays expected between Christmas and New Year

Woodburn again will be an issue with delays up to 75 minutes

Bateman’s Bay on the south coast – delays in all directions up to 75 minutes

Nowra and Jervis Bay will be problem spots as well

Hexham will also have major delays

Delays expected following New Years

Woodburn on the north coast – delays up to 75 minutes

Jervis Bay on the south coast – delays up to 75 minutes

 Nowra and Bateman’s Bay – delays up to 30 minutes

Hexham and Salt Ash – delays up to 30 mins