Queensland motorists warned of Christmas traffic mayhem

Motorists are being warned to brace for Christmas chaos as a perfect storm of highway roadworks, a post-Covid travel boom and high airfares combine to create traffic mayhem this weekend.

The Bruce Highway north of Brisbane will be a key route for traffic ahead of the Christmas weekend. Picture: Josh Woning.

Motorists are being warned to brace for Christmas chaos as a perfect storm of highway roadworks, a post-pandemic travel boom and high airfares combine to create traffic mayhem.

With Christmas falling on a Sunday and tourism skyrocketing, authorities believe it will be one of the busiest festive seasons on Queensland roads in years.

Bumper-to-bumper traffic is being tipped from lunchtime on the Pacific Motorway and Bruce Highway, as workers clock off and head to the Gold and Sunshine coasts for the holiday break.

Hundreds of extra police, some on unmarked motorcycles and others armed with aerial drones, are being unleashed to cope with the onslaught.

Authorities are warning that major upgrades of both major roads, all the way from the Gold Coast to Cairns, are likely to add to congestion.

“From tomorrow (Friday), we are expecting congestion to build early, from lunchtime, on all of the major routes both north and south, particularly out of Brisbane,” said Acting Chief Superintendent Chris Stream, of the Road Policing and Regional Support Command.

He said although highway roadworks would pause over Christmas, speed limits as low as 60 km/h would be enforced by police and Transport and Main Roads speed cameras.

Supt Stream said officers on unmarked motorcycles fitted with speed detectors were being deployed statewide to nab dangerous drivers.

Police will also blitz 4WD beaches on Fraser and Moreton islands and around Double Island Point, using aerial drones to monitor drivers.

Supt Stream said police were already investigating incidents of dangerous driving on Teewah Beach after campers supplied footage of 4WD hoons.

He said officers would also target the D’Aguilar Highway ahead of the Woodford Folk Festival starting on Monday, western roads being used by caravanners and Scenic Rim roads popular with motorcyclists.

Brad “The Traffic Guy” Hunter, of the Australian Traffic Network, said major roads had been congested throughout the week – especially around roadwork zones, shopping centres and beaches – and Friday was “going to be interesting”.

“We could get a lot of delays on the Bruce Highway and the (Pacific Motorway) between Christmas and new year,” he said.

“It doesn’t take much – you get one incident or breakdown and you really start to see those volumes of traffic build up.”

Roadworks on the Bruce Highway will be suspended but reduced speed limits are expected to stay. Picture: Josh Woning

Mr Hunter said high airfares and cheaper fuel prices could also result in more motorists on the road over Christmas.

A Transport and Main Roads spokesman said while Pacific Motorway and Bruce Highway roadworks would cease over the Christmas-new year period, narrowed lanes and concrete barriers would remain and speed limits would continue to be enforced.

RACQ traffic and safety engineering manager Greg Miszkowycz said the festive season was one of the highest-risk periods for crashes and motorists should expect “significant congestion” from Friday morning.

“On Christmas Eve, typically between 10am and 2pm are the busiest times on the road.

“There are also likely to be delays on Tuesday 27 December as people return home after the Christmas long weekend.

“Those heading away should aim to leave as early as they can to try and avoid the rush, keeping in mind there are roadworks occurring on the major roads, so those delays will also need to be factored into the journey time.”

Preciously, Mr Miszkowycz flagged Friday December 23 as South East Queensland drivers to head to their holiday destination and for motorists to expect lengthy delays heading back into the city on Tuesday December 27.