Changed traffic conditions and double demerits as motorists gear-up for long weekend

Northern suburbs motorists heading south over the October long weekend are advised of a number of traffic changes at construction sites between Wollongong and Batemans Bay.

Most construction activities on the Albion Park Rail bypass site will stop at 2pm Friday October 4 and restart at 7am Wednesday October 9 to minimise impact to motorists.

Reduced speed limits will remain in place near work areas on the Princes Highway, Illawarra Highway, East West Link and Tongarra Road over the long weekend for the safety of road users.

Most work will stop on the Berry to Bomaderry upgrade at 6pm Thursday October 3 and restart at 7am Wednesday. Any minor work during this time will not affect highway traffic and an 80kmh speed limit will be in place for the length of the upgrade.

A temporary speed zone reduction to 80kmh will be in place on the southbound lane of the Princes Highway approaching the Jervis Bay Road intersection from 8am Friday to 7am Tuesday October 8.

An Incident Response and End of Queue Management Crew will be deployed to Jervis Bay Road and the Princes Highway at Nowra and Ulladulla to manage traffic queues.

A reduced speed limit of 80kmh will be in place on the Kings Highway between Nelligen and Batemans Bay with traffic control on standby at the Batemans Bay Bridge Project.

Traffic Controllers will also coordinate the movement of pedestrians across the Princes Highway pedestrian crossing in Milton between 9am and 3pm from Friday to Monday to allow more through time for vehicles.

Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and to follow the directions of signs.

Meanwhile motorists are being reminded to slow down and take care on regional roads this long weekend with double demerits to apply for all speeding, mobile phone, seatbelt and motorcycle helmet offences.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said Operation Slow Down would run from 12.01am on Friday October 4 until 11.59pm on Monday October 7.

“October long weekend is one of the most anticipated long weekends each year, with the NRL Grand Final being played and Daylight Savings coming in. As our clocks tick forward an hour, we’re reminding motorists to make sure their kilometres don’t tick forward too,” Mr Toole said.

“The facts are clear – speeding, driving under the influence and fatigue are the biggest killers on NSW roads.”

Mr Toole said it was important to plan ahead if travelling over the long weekend or getting together to watch the Grand Final.

“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility and we are urging all motorists to play their part in keeping our road toll down. If you’re planning on watching the Roosters and the Raiders battle it out during the Grand Final, make sure you have a Plan B,” Mr Toole said.

As at midnight 25 September, 275 people had lost their lives on NSW roads, including 180 on country roads. Road deaths are now 12 more than for the same time last year.

NSW Police Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said more than 1000 Traffic and Highway Patrol Command Officers and Crash Investigators will be working across the state this long weekend.

“With all available Highway Patrol working closely with our General Duty Colleagues conducting random breath tests and mobile drug testing along with speed enforcement, those doing the wrong thing will be put off our roads in order to save their lives, and the lives of other road users,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.

During the 2018 Operation Slow Down period, five lives were lost in four fatal crashes on NSW roads – two of these fatal crashes occurred on a country roads.

For the latest traffic updates visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.