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Mount Ousley rest area reopens after one year

Upgraded facility includes 10 new parking spaces for heavy vehicles

 

After year-long repair and upgrade works, the Mount Ousley heavy vehicle rest area is now officially open.

The purpose-built facility, located close to the intersection of the M1 Princes Motorway and Clive Bissell Drive, will allow heavy vehicle drivers a place to rest while travelling through the Illawarra region.

Federal infrastructure and transport minister Darren Chester, NSW roads and maritime minister Melinda Pavey, NSW senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, and Illawarra parliamentary secretary Gareth Ward have welcomed the news.

Chester says the upgraded facility will help better manage fatigue for freight operators.

“The Australian Government funded this project under Round 3 of the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Programme, which supports infrastructure projects that improve productivity and safety outcomes of heavy vehicle operations across Australia,” Chester says.

“This is a real boost for the safety of motorists in the Illawarra region, and just one example of how the Australian Government’s infrastructure investment programme is supporting freight operators and helping to reduce accidents on our roads.”

Pavey says the upgrade will support up to 3,500 heavy vehicles drivers that use this section of the M1 Princes Motorway each day.

“Anything that helps to manage fatigue when it comes to heavy vehicle drivers certainly creates a safer environment for all road users,” Pavey says.

“This is an important project and the end result is vital safety improvements for motorists in the region.

“It will pay dividends the many motorists who travel between Sydney and Wollongong each week.”

Fierravanti-Wells says the existing informal rest area has been upgraded to include new facilities, parking and safer access for heavy vehicles.

“The Australian and New South Wales governments have partnered to deliver a fit-for-purpose, $8.1 million rest area that will allow heavy vehicle drivers to rest and recuperate while they deliver goods to domestic and international markets,” Fierravanti-Wells says.

“More than 13,000 cubic metres of material was removed from the site during the upgrade, and more than 5,000 square metres of new pavement has been built.

“As well as providing 10 parking spaces for heavy vehicles, the upgraded rest area also includes new toilets, rubbish bins and undercover picnic tables.”

Thanking the community for their patience during the upgrade, Ward says the project has addressed a long-standing issue.

“A temporary northbound heavy vehicle parking bay had been operating at the former toll gate site on the M1 Princes Motorway near Waterfall, which was not ideal,” Ward says.

“This temporary arrangement will now close with the opening of the upgraded rest area, while two permanent heavy vehicle rest areas remain located nearby on Picton Road.”

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