A joint $17 million of funding between federal, state and local governments will see the beginning of five new projects in the Heavy Vehicle Rest Area Program.
The federal government is committing $14 million towards the projects, saying it is committed to improving road safety across Australia.
Rest areas will be located on the Barrier Highway in South Australia, Newell Highway and Sturt Highway in New South Wales, and in Pingelly, Western Australia.
“The federal government’s Heavy Vehicle Rest Area initiative aims to increase heavy vehicle user safety and productivity through vital new and upgraded rest areas across their journey,” says chair of the Heavy Vehicle Rest Area Steering Committee Glenn Sterle.
“We want to keep our truck drivers and communities safe and these new and upgraded rest stops will help drivers reduce their fatigue as they keep goods moving across the country.”
These projects will include the construction of new rest areas with dedicated slip and turning lanes, shelters, landscaping, and connecting footpaths, as well as the upgrade of existing ones from light to heavy vehicle classification with all-weather pavement, solar lighting, and amenities.
“The federal government’s $14 million investment in improved rest areas is another example of our action towards achieving Vision Zero—zero deaths on our roads by 2050,” says federal assistant transport minister Carol Brown.
“By investing in much-needed rest stops, we will ensure that our truckies spend less time on the roads and get home safely to their loved ones.
“I would like to thank the HVRA Steering Committee for their work in identifying these strategic projects that are essential for the safety of all road users.”