Heavy vehicle operators travelling on the Warrego Highway near Ipswich may soon have access to rest stops which will include
Heavy vehicle operators travelling on the Warrego Highway near Ipswich may soon have access to rest stops which will include fuel stations, public amenities and food courts.
Federal Minister for Transport Anthony Albanese and Queensland Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt have asked developers to register their interests in building service centres on the Warrego Highway between the Ipswich Motorway and the Ipswich City/Esk Shire boundary at Minden.
Pitt today said the development would bring a larger range of services to freight operators travelling on the busy highway.
“The service centres will provide facilities to refuel, basic motor vehicle products, public amenities and food courts,” he said.
Pitt said it was necessary to develop a number of service centres to meet the demand of about 23,000 vehicles, which travel along the highway every day.
“The Warrego Highway is a vital link, connecting freight and travellers to Sydney, Melbourne, Toowoomba, Darling Downs, regional Queensland and the Northern Territory,” Pitt said.
“Currently there are no service centres where motorists can take advantage of many facilities in one spot and only a few standard service stations in the area.”
Albanese said the proposed centres would be on either side of the highway, similar to those on the Bruce Highway at Burpengary and on the Pacific Motorway.
“We expect the centres would be of a similar standard to those on the Bruce Highway and Pacific Motorway,” Albanese said.
“Also, where safety allows, there will be direct access to the highway to ensure a prime location for the centres,” Mr Albanese concluded.
Pitt said interested developers had until 11 February 2008 to register their interest.
“Main Roads will consider all applicants and then short-list successful candidates,” he said.
“Those who are short-listed will be invited to provide a formal offer to design, construct and operate the service centres. We plan to select the final applicant by the end of the year.”