Published Wednesday, 16 July, 2008 at 09:30 AM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Rest area upgrades along Carnarvon Highway help truckies
Main Roads has completed the installation and upgrading of eight heavy vehicle rest areas on the Carnarvon Highway in south-western Queensland to combat driver fatigue.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the rest areas had been funded by the Queensland Government’s Safer Roads Sooner program, which uses revenue from speeding and red light camera fines to address safety issues.
"The rest areas, installed and upgraded as part of targeted road safety initiatives during the past two years, help fulfil an $800,000 commitment by the State Government to improve safety and provide more rest areas for heavy vehicle operators on the Carnarvon Highway," Mr Pitt said.
He said the new and improved rest areas provided space where heavy vehicles drivers could pull over safely, fill out their log books and rest before continuing their journey.
"The rest areas now provide more stopping areas along the Carnarvon Highway, which is a key north-south freight route in the region," Mr Pitt said.
"Main Roads is working towards improving and installing more of these facilities for heavy vehicles where possible, as part of our long-term strategy to address heavy vehicle driver fatigue.
"The heavy vehicle rest areas are now sealed and have new benches, chairs, shelters, bins and fresh rainwater from storage tanks for the drivers to use throughout the year."
Native shrubs and trees will be planted soon to protect the sites and provide additional privacy and shade cover for drivers during the day.
The new heavy vehicle rest areas are located at:
• the Moonie turnoff, 9km north of St George
• 17km south of Roma
• 14km north of Surat
• 40km south of Surat.
Four heavy vehicles rest areas have been upgraded at:
• 45km north of Roma
• 35km south of Roma
• 48km north of St George
• 27km north of St George.
For more information on the rest area upgrades or any other works in the region please contact Main Roads on 1800 776 237 or email roma.office@mainroads.qld.gov.au
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the rest areas had been funded by the Queensland Government’s Safer Roads Sooner program, which uses revenue from speeding and red light camera fines to address safety issues.
"The rest areas, installed and upgraded as part of targeted road safety initiatives during the past two years, help fulfil an $800,000 commitment by the State Government to improve safety and provide more rest areas for heavy vehicle operators on the Carnarvon Highway," Mr Pitt said.
He said the new and improved rest areas provided space where heavy vehicles drivers could pull over safely, fill out their log books and rest before continuing their journey.
"The rest areas now provide more stopping areas along the Carnarvon Highway, which is a key north-south freight route in the region," Mr Pitt said.
"Main Roads is working towards improving and installing more of these facilities for heavy vehicles where possible, as part of our long-term strategy to address heavy vehicle driver fatigue.
"The heavy vehicle rest areas are now sealed and have new benches, chairs, shelters, bins and fresh rainwater from storage tanks for the drivers to use throughout the year."
Native shrubs and trees will be planted soon to protect the sites and provide additional privacy and shade cover for drivers during the day.
The new heavy vehicle rest areas are located at:
• the Moonie turnoff, 9km north of St George
• 17km south of Roma
• 14km north of Surat
• 40km south of Surat.
Four heavy vehicles rest areas have been upgraded at:
• 45km north of Roma
• 35km south of Roma
• 48km north of St George
• 27km north of St George.
For more information on the rest area upgrades or any other works in the region please contact Main Roads on 1800 776 237 or email roma.office@mainroads.qld.gov.au
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819