New heavy vehicle rest area on the Sturt Highway in NSW opens
September 9, 2011
A new rest area on the Sturt Highway in NSW has opened as part of a spending plan to bring the nation’s truck stops up to standard.
Located at Willowvale, the $2.5 million rest area is a joint project between Canberra and NSW, with federal funding coming from the $70 million Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese says the portion of the $70 million scheme handed to NSW is delivering 55 new and upgraded rest stops and nine refurbished parking bays.
“This program represents the single largest federal investment in roadside facilities used by truck drivers, which in turn will make our nation’s highways safer for all road users,” he says.
NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay says the Willowvale rest area will help to reduce heavy vehicle crashes involving driver fatigue.
“Located along the Highway’s eastbound side, about 37km east of Balranald, the rest area will offer a safe place for truck drivers to get the breaks they need,” Gay says.
“Last year 79 people were killed in NSW in crashes involving trucks with fatigue a factor in many of them. We must do more to prevent these tragedies – and without doubt, providing new and upgrade[d] rest stops is an investment in safer roads.”
ATN is awaiting a response from Gay’s office on further details about the rest area, including what facilities are available for truck drivers.