Five heavy vehicle rest area upgrades have recently been completed across NSW as part of the state’s $11.9 million rest area improvement initiative.
Sites at Berry Jest on the Sturt Highway and Beckom, Bundure and the Marsden northbound and southbound areas on the Newell Highway have been completed.
Improvements to the sites include solar-powered lighting for toilet blocks and surrounds, and new picnic shelters to improve rest facilities.
Improved roadside signage at a number of service centres along the centres along the Hum, Sturt and Newell Highways to assist heavy vehicle drivers better identify rest stops.
Independent Member for Murray Helen Dalton says the facility upgrades are important to make transport as comfortable as possible for the region’s truck drivers.
“Rest areas support truck driver health, safety and wellbeing, and compliance with mandatory rest breaks for fatigue management,” Dalton says.
“It’s good to see investments going to upgrade facilities for truckies in the Murray region.
“When our heavy vehicle drivers are safe, it contributes to safer roads for all road users.”
The completed upgrades follow earlier projects to Seven Trees and Curlwaa rest areas on the Silver City Highway and Bundjalung rest area on the Pacific Highway as part of the statewide program.
“These upgraded facilities will go a long way in supporting truck drivers to find safe and reliable areas to park, rest and access services on what can be long trips in this part of the state,” NSW Labor spokesperson for Cootamundra Stephen Lawrence says.
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