Summer vacation has started

A two-car collision at Mooney Mooney put an end to what is expected to be one of the busiest days on the road this holiday season.

Northbound traffic on the M1 has begun to congest at the Hawkesbury River Bridge and motorists are advised to expect significant delays after a collision was reported at 10:18 am on Tuesday. One of the three lanes was closed and a tow truck was dispatched.

Earlier, authorities had expressed cautious optimism about traffic conditions as holidaymakers flock to Sydney’s roads each year.

Historically, traffic starts at 7am and peaks between 9am and 10am. December 27th and he January 2nd are the busiest, as travelers often don’t leave until the holidays are over.

Officials have advised drivers to expect delays of up to 45 minutes at pinch points as roads are still being damaged by record rains and flooding this year.

In Hexham and Heatherbray, notorious hotspots west of Newcastle, before 8am, traffic on the New England and Pacific highways began to jam, adding 15 to 20 minutes to travel.

A spokesman for the New South Wales Transport Authority said roads on the Great Western Highway near Blackheath, Prince’s Highway near Jervis Bay and Falls Creek, around Coffs Harbour, and near the Queensland border will be closed over the holiday period. He said traffic jams were expected throughout the area.