Eight bays on the Stuart and Carpentaria highways to be improved in safety bid
August 27, 2013
Truck parking bays on Northern Territory’s main highways are set for an upgrade.
Eight bays on the Stuart and Carpentaria highways at HiWay Inn and at Victoria Highway Sandy Creek Crossing will be improved in a bid to keep road users safe, NT Infrastructure Minister Peter Styles says.
Some $1.7 million will be spent on the highways’ intersections, with work expected to be completed in November.
“The truck parking bays to be provided at the HiWay Inn will complement an ultimate series of truck bays which are intended to be provided at about 80km spacings,” Styles says.
“They will address fatigue in long distance transport operators.”
A $3.7 million contract to upgrade the Victoria Highway Sandy Creek Crossing has already commenced and is expected to be finished in December.
“This work is being undertaken to improve flood immunity during wet weather,” Styles says.
“This is especially relevant to those roads subject to the monsoon rainfalls which can stop and delay the transport of goods, livestock and traffic.
“Sandy Creek frequently causes traffic delays during the wet season, and as a result time is lost and in some cases perishable goods adversity affected.
“The approaches to the creek crossing itself are the most affected with water ranging deep enough to stop heavy vehicles.
“The project will include a new culvert and ultimately see works to elevate the approaches.”
