The Victorian Government will upgrade six existing rest areas on the Hume Freeway between Benalla and Chiltern
By Ruza Zivkusic-Aftasi | December 7, 2012
The Victorian Government will upgrade six existing rest areas on the Hume Freeway between Benalla and Chiltern.
The work is part of the Federal Government’s Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program, which will add another 70 rest areas on the freeway.
Benton’s Hall and Chiltern Park rest areas are the first of the six to be completed under the program.
VicRoads spokesman Travers Purton says VicRoads is looking into improving an entry ramp into the Balmattum south-bound truck parking bay.
“VicRoads is undertaking a re-evaluation of the number of spaces required to update the work done about three years ago,” Purton says.
“Short-term options have been examined but no available locations for low cost temporary spaces have been identified.
“Over $3.2 million was spent to upgrade the facilities adding 19 additional truck parking bays at the two locations, 12 additional bays at Benton’s Hill and seven new bays at Chiltern Park.”
Rest areas in Wangaratta, Winton and Benalla will be upgraded in the next two years, with their parking capacity expanded.
VicRoads is also considering bringing forward the works at Dominance in Wangaratta in response to industry feedback. The works include plans to provide 15 additional B-double parks, Purton says.
The public consultation period closed on October 3 and VicRoads is finalising advice for government consideration.
“It is expected that new initiatives will form part of the strategy, which will compliment what is already happening,” Purton says.
“Development of the strategy has included looking at what is happening internationally in the area of heavy vehicle safety.”
