A new bridge on New England Highway has been declared safe for HML use.
Trucking operators can now run vehicles at higher mass limits (HML) along the full stretch of the New England Highway in New South Wales.
The newly built Fitzgerald Bridge near Aberdeen has been declared safe for HML use, removing an impediment to operators gaining uninterrupted HML access to the highway.
HML allows operators enrolled in the Intelligent Access Program (IAP) to carry heavier loads.
Transport Certification Australia (TCA), which administers the IAP, has welcomed the NSW Government’s decision to allow HML-approved trucks to use the bridge.
“The old Fitzgerald Bridge was the last remaining structure which impeded HML access on the New England Highway. The new bridge therefore represents a major step forward in advancing road transport productivity along the east coast of Australia,” TCA acting CEO Gavin Hill says.
“With the new Fitzgerald Bridge now being declared for HML use, transport operators can benefit from having uninterrupted HML access for semi-trailers and B-doubles between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, enabling access into regional centres and townships.”
Work started in February 2013 on building the new bridge over the Hunter River. It opened to traffic on May 30 this year.
The Federal Government fully funded the project as part of a $43 million package of works aimed at bringing a number of bridges in NSW up to HML standard.
The new Fitzgerald Bridge is 9.4m wide with one lane in each direction.
“It will improve productivity by enabling more efficient and direct freight movements through NSW,” federal infrastructure minister Warren Truss says.
Photography: Greg Bush