The federal government has announced work is now underway to upgrade two heavy vehicle rest areas on the Newell Highway.
The work has begun south of Moree, with the federal and New South Wales governments committing $12 million to extensively upgrade the northbound and southbound rest areas either side of the Newell Highway at Tycannah.
Existing rest areas at Tycannah service the major long-haul interstate freight route linking Melbourne and Brisbane, but currently have no toilets or turning lanes.
The upgrades will include a reconfiguration of the rest areas to better accommodate extra-long vehicles, and also deceleration lanes at the entry of the rest areas to improve safety.
Separate caravan parking will be provided in both the northbound and southbound rest areas which also provides separate parking for light and heavy vehicles.
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“As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting Australia’s freight network, we’re improving critical rest areas like Tycannah to ensure our truck drivers have access to safe, modern and accessible facilities along key freight routes,” senator Glenn Sterle says.
“This announcement comes off the back of the recent opening of the Spring Creek rest area, about 12km north of Narrabri on the Newell Highway which I had the pleasure of attending. These significant investments show our commitment to improving safety for truck drivers and the broader driving community.
“While this investment primarily caters for our essential truckers, this project will also provide practical rest area facilities and separate parking for light traffic and tourists towing caravans.”
The Tycannah rest areas upgrade work has received $2.4 million in funding from the state government and a further $9.6 million courtesy of the federal government’s Heavy Vehicle Rest Area initiative.
Based on feedback from the freight industry in 2022, design work at both rest areas has included a focus on retaining as much of the existing mature vegetation as possible.
The northbound rest area will also be extended by 150 metres as part of the work.
“The federal and NSW governments are investing in safer, upgraded rest areas to support the people and freight that keep the north-west moving,” federal transport minister Catherine King says.
“These upgrades support a more efficient road network and encourage drivers to take proper breaks on long trips, meaning their journeys are safer and they get home to loved ones.”
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