Upgrades to the Tycannah rest areas south of Moree on the Newell Highway are underway.
The Federal and New South Wales government have committed $12 million to upgrade the northbound and southbound rest areas either side of the highway to accommodate extra-long vehicles.
The Tycannah rest areas upgrade work is receiving $2.4 million in funding from the NSW government, and $9.6 million in funding through the Australian Government’s Heavy Vehicle Rest Area initiative under the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program.
The upgrades will also add deceleration lanes at the entry of the rest areas to improve safety, with separate caravan parking to be provided in both the northbound and southbound rest areas along with separate parking for light and heavy vehicles.
The northbound rest area will also be extended by 150 metres as part of the work and the work is expected to take six months to complete, and be carried out between 7am and 5pm on weekdays and from 8am to 1pm on Saturdays, with no work on Sundays or public holidays.
Changed traffic conditions including single lane closures and temporary rest area closures will be in place during the upgrade for the safety of workers and motorists.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Catherine King says the upgrades would support a more efficient road network and encourage drivers to take proper breaks on long trips.
Heavy Vehicle Rest Area Steering Committee chair Senator Glenn Sterle says the start of works at Tycannah followed the recent opening of the Spring Creek rest area, about 12km north of Narrabri on the Newell Highway.
“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,” Sterle says.