RTA warns of traffic congestion in Ballina over Christmas
Motorists are being advised to expect some delays when travelling through Ballina 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 during Christmas and New Year is a busy time on NSW roads,” the RTA spokesperson said.
“Heavy traffic is expected on the Pacific Highway through Ballina from December 17 until early January as families visit the region to spend their holidays.
“Ballina usually experiences heavy congestion in both directions. Motorists are advised to often expect long queues.
“Christmas 2009 saw queues of up to 10 kilometres on the approaches to Ballina with delays of up to 30 minutes.
“Traffic will be noticeably heavier on Fridays and weekends during late December and early January.
“The RTA will be putting in place special traffic conditions aimed at reducing these delays.
“These changes include a no right turn out of the southern end of Teven Road onto the Pacific Highway between 17 December 2010 and 3 January 2011.
“In addition, fixed electronic message signs and portable electronic message signs will be installed along the Pacific Highway to provide motorists with information on traffic queuing and delays, incidents and changed traffic conditions, as well as road safety messages.
“Additional RTA Traffic Patrol crews will be patrolling the Pacific Highway in this region.
“They will patrol critical locations and provide details of delays or incidents. Crews will also provide a response to unplanned incidents if required.”
Full details of road closures, safety tips and rest areas are available from the RTA website at www.rta.nsw.gov.au
August 22nd, 2011 at 11:43 am
Dear Sir/Madam
I have lived in Ballina for more than 10 years. The reason for the long traffic delays (and not just at holiday time) are due PURELY to the traffic lights at the intersection of Kerr Street and the Highway/River Street. Never have there been such delays. Immediately after the traffic lights were installed, the first holiday break recorded a traffic line-up of17km.
I’m not sure who, in your department, makes these decisions but I am positive that they don’t have a clue as to what needs to be done to keep traffic moving. They should be made to sit at the end of that 17km traffic queue, in the summer heat, and see what that a ridiculuous decision that was. The roundabout which was replaced was the better option then, and is always a better option in most locations.
Most of the work the RTA does is commendable, but sometimes you just get it plain wrong. Are you prepared fix the problem you created and put back the roundabout?
Lee Hillyard