22 December 2016

Additional traffic management resources will be in place from Wednesday 21 December to Tuesday 3 January 2017 on the Pacific Highway at Macksville to minimise congestion during the Christmas and New Year holiday break.

A Roads and Maritime Services spokesperson said this will be the last year motorists will experience this level of delay through Macksville during holidays.

“The bypass of Macksville is expected to open to traffic at the end of 2017, weather permitting, and will remove this pinch point, which last year resulted in queues of up to 13 kilometres and delays of about an hour at peak times,” the spokesperson said.

“The new bypass of Macksville is being delivered as part of the wider Warrell Creek to Nambucca Heads Pacific Highway upgrade and will result in significant travel improvements, including time savings.

“While work continues changed traffic arrangements will be in place similar to previous holidays.

“Restricting access to the Pacific Highway at some intersections in Macksville substantially improves traffic flow in the area and helps reduce travel times for motorists travelling along one of the state’s most popular road corridors.”

The changes will be in place on:

• Wednesday 21 December until Friday 23 December (inclusive) from 9am to 5pm
• Saturday 24 December from 9am to 3pm
• Monday 26 December until Friday 30 December (inclusive) from 9am to 5pm
• Saturday 31 December from 9am to 3pm
• Monday 2 January and Tuesday 3 January 2017 from 9am to 5pm.

The Roads and Maritime spokesperson said traffic flows will be monitored and the restrictions removed if there is a clear decrease in delays.

“Left turn only arrangements will be in place at Partridge Street at its intersection with the Pacific Highway,” the spokesperson said.

“Access to the highway from Partridge Street will be restricted with north and southbound traffic required to access the highway via Boundary and Willis streets.

“The Partridge Street traffic lights will be turned off with traffic controllers in place to help guide motorists and pedestrians.

“The Winifred Street intersection will also be restricted to left turn only arrangements from the Pacific Highway. Access to the Pacific Highway at Winifred Street will be via Princess and Boundary streets.

Traffic control will be in place to allow the exit of delivery trucks from Winifred Street when required.

“The northern entrance to the Caltex Service Station will also be temporarily closed to traffic with access provided by the southern entry only.”

For more information visit www.rms.nsw.gov.au