Every Friday, OwnerDriver will provide a comprehensive review of changed traffic and road conditions for Australia’s freight and heavy vehicle operators.
This week, conditions have changed at Hexham, while an upgraded M1 interchange is set to open and heavy vehicles are advised to warn of extra traffic around Bathurst this weekend due to the Supercars.
Be wary of Supercar traffic
Transport for NSW (TfNSW) has warned over-size, over-mass (OSOM) operators to avoid eastbound travel on the Great Western Highway between Lithgow and Katoomba on Monday October 14 from 9AM to 1PM.
This is due to the Supercars Bathurst 1000 being held at Mt Panorama from now until Sunday October 13.
In previous years, TfNSW says there has been a significant increase in traffic volume on the Great Western Highway between Lithgow and Katoomba on the Monday following the event.
Western Distributor to experience temporary closures
TfNSW has also advised operators that there will be a temporary closure of the southbound loanes on the Western Distributor.
On both Tuesday October 15 and Monday October 21, between 1.30AM and 5AM, the southbound lanes on the road will be temporarily closed between the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Market Street, while existing line marking on the Western Distributor is being removed.
A detour will be in place via Harbour, Pier, Wattle Streets and Pyrmont Bridge Road, and back onto the Western Distributor via the Pyrmont Bridge Road on ramp.
TfNSW says vehicles travelling under a permit must not travel off the approved route listed in their permit unless an updated permit is obtained from the NHVR.
Sydney Gateway variable speed limits in place
With the Sydney Gateway now having been open for four weeks, speed limits are set to increase from mid-October.
This month, some sections of the Gateway will increase from 60km/h to 70kmh, with the variable speed limits to apply.
On top of this, TfNSW warns there’s still height and dangerous goods limitations in place on the Gateway and in the M8 tunnels for heavy vehicles.
The Gateway provides the option for trucks to bypass local Mascot streets and use the high-capacity road network via St Peters Interchange from the M8 and the M4-M8 Link tunnels, as well as from the widened Qantas Drive.
Upgraded Tallebudgera Interchange exit to open
The Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) advises that the upgraded Tallebudgera Interchange (Exit 89) is now open, with the temporary side-track between Tallebudgera Creek Road and Tsipura Drive now closed.
The new northbound off-ramp has been relocated roughly a kilometre further to the south on the M1, connecting to Tsipura Drive via the Tallebudgera Interchange.
Now, motorists can access the M1 northbound via Tsipura Drive through the upgraded interchange.
The QTA says the interchange has been completely reconstructed with new signalised intersections to ensure safer travel through the interchange for motorists, bike riders and pedestrians.
Captain Cook Highway resurfacing to start soon
The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has advised that resurfacing works on sections of the Captain Cook Highway near Kewarra Beach and Palm Cove are set to begin later this month.
The works, which will be carried out from 6PM to 6AM from October 28, include asphalt resurfacing to extend the life of the road pavement and reduce the formation of potholes, improving safety.
Works are expected to be completed in 10 days, weather and conditions permitting.
Intermittent full closures of the road will be required at times to carry out the works. Road users can expect delays of up to 15-minute periods during the full closures. Road users should plan their journeys accordingly.
Variable Message Signs (VMS) will be in place on the approaches to the work site to ensure motorists are aware of the changed traffic conditions. Changes in dates due to poor weather will be posted on the VMS.
For the safety of road users and maintenance crews, changed traffic conditions will be in place including temporary speed limit reductions, and single lane operation under coordination of traffic controllers and/or traffic signals while the works are carried out.
There may be times when access to properties directly adjacent to the works will be temporarily restricted. The contractor will contact impacted property owners directly, prior to any anticipated impacts.
Nearby properties may experience noise associated with the works, such as the sound of trucks, light machinery, and vibrations while the work is carried out. The contractor will take all reasonable and practicable actions to minimise impacts and any disruptions to property owners, as well as other stakeholders.
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