Joint government investment to bankroll upgrades to eight rest areas, build three new facilities and construct two layover bays
February 4, 2013
The federal and West Australian governments have joined forces to pump an extra $4.7 million into roadside facilities for long distance truck drivers.
The new money will be used to fund upgrades to eight existing rest stops, build three new rest stops and construct two new layover bays.
Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese says the funds were approved under the $240 million Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program and build on the 43 projects that have already been approved.
“Established by this Labor government shortly after coming to office in late 2007, this program is the first ever significant federal response to the lack of safe, modern rest stops along the nation’s highways,” Albanese says.
“Fewer fatigued truck drivers behind the wheel makes our roads safer for everyone.”
Five rest areas will be upgraded on the Great Northern Highway, north of Wubin, while two existing rest areas will be upgraded on the Eyre Highway.
A new $350,000 rest area will be built on Mt Magnet-Leinster Road. The rest area on the Goldfields Highway at Lake Raeside will be upgraded.
Both governments have pledged more than $400,000 each to formalise an existing informal parking area on Marble Bar Road and to construct a new one on the opposite side of the road.
The road-train assembly area at Wubin will be doubled in capacity to accommodate 70 road-trains at one time, with more than $1.8 million to be built on two layover bays between Port Hedland and Newman on the Great Northern Highway.
“In addition, we will improve access for trucks to the new Katanning Regional Saleyards by building a new intersection on the Kojonup-Pingrup Road,” Western Australia Transport Minister Troy Buswell says.
Buswell says the projects were selected following consultation with the trucking industry.
ATN has sought more information on what facilities will be available once work on the upgrades and new rest areas is completed.
