Heavy vehicle short cuts on notice under trial

Drivers of trucks weighing more than 4.5 tonnes have been put on notice they cannot use a short cut between Rocklea and Wishart.

Member for Mansfield Corrine McMillan welcomed the start of the trial in October which will see the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology to identify heavy vehicles using Kessels/Mount Gravatt Capalaba Road as a short cut.

“In the lead up to last year’s election I campaigned heavily on the issue and I have continued to lobby the Minister for measures to reduce the number of unnecessary heavy vehicles on our local roads,” Ms McMillan said.

“Many of the people I speak to in the community raise the issue of traffic along this busy road and I have firsthand experience of this as my office is located on Mt Gravatt Capalaba Road near Garden City Shopping Centre.

“Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera technology was being put in place to allow enforcement.

“This congestion busting technology is being trialled from now until the end of the year along the Brisbane Urban Corridor.

“The new technology will use cameras to monitor travel time of trucks along the BUC, which links the Gateway Motorway and the Ipswich Motorway via Mt Gravatt-Capalaba, Kessels, Riawena and Granard Roads.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said traffic growth, especially with heavy vehicles, had contributed to local congestion in those neighbourhoods

“Travel delays and increased safety concerns, as well as increased noise for the people who live and work in the area has simply gone too far,” Mr Bailey said.

“Transport and Main Roads has long advised heavy vehicle operators they are restricted from using this corridor as a through-route.

“The restrictions apply 24 hours a day, seven days a week to heavy vehicles using the route for through trips.

“Heavy vehicle operators should plan their route along the Logan Motorway and Gateway Motorway, which is the preferred route.”

“The government will trial the improved technology before penalty infringement notices with fines are issued.

“At the end of the trial, truck drivers who ignore the restriction will be issued with a penalty infringement notice of $652.75 for corporations or $130.55 for individuals and will accumulate three demerit points.”

Variable message signs on the state-controlled road network would be used to advise heavy vehicle operators of the enforcement.

ENDS