Federal and South Australian governments agree to pump about $4 million into rest areas and road upgrades
February 21, 2013
The federal and South Australian governments have signed off on a plan to pump about $4 million into rest area projects and road upgrades.
The new money will fund seven rest area projects on the Sturt, Stuart and Eyre highways.
South Australian Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Tom Koutsantonis says the locations of five new rest areas and a further two to be upgraded were selected after consultation with the trucking industry.
“Heavy vehicle traffic on our state roads is increasing with the continued expansion of our mineral resources and energy sector putting more trucks and trailers on our regional highways,” Koutsantonis says.
“Providing long-distance and heavy vehicle drivers with an opportunity to rest ensures that our main regional roads are safer for all users.”
Money has been set aside to upgrade a road to provide B-doubles with access to the Wallaroo ferry terninal. Part of the $4 million will also be spent upgrading a major intersection on Ziegler Road between the Sturt Highway and Cadell Valley Road.
“For the first time, we’ve also set aside funding to improve safety at livestock saleyards and to upgrade other facilities used by the livestock transport industry,” federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese says.
“New loading ramps and upgrades to other cattle loading/unloading infrastructure will help truck drivers more safely unload cattle from their trucks, protecting both them and their families.”
The money will go to the Naracoorte Regional Livestock Exchange for seven new loading/unloading ramps. Meanwhile, the main entrance to the Mount Gambier and District Saleyards and two unloading areas will be resurfaced.
The Federal Governments will also spend $11,850 to improve lighting in the truck parking area at the Pro Stock Mt Compass saleyard.
Federal funding for the projects comes from the $220 million Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program.
