NatRoad welcomes the commitment from the Tasmanian Government to allocate funding to construct rest areas for heavy vehicle drivers that will allow them to take mandatory rest breaks when travelling on Tasmania’s key freight routes.
Dedicated areas where heavy vehicles can safely pull over and stop, to check the load, vehicle, or to take a break, are a critical component of a safe and productive freight network. The Department of State Growth has identified 19 rest area sites on Tasmania’s key freight routes along the Bass Highway and the Midland Highway. Five of those sites have been progressed to the design stage, these are:
- Bass Highway, Howth Weighbridge
- Midland Highway, Southern Outlet, north of Kings Meadows
- Midland Highway, Pontville
- Glenstone Road, Brighton
- Bass Highway, Forest Farm Weighbridge, Elizabeth Town
The Department of State Growth’s contractors, Veris, will be carrying out investigation works at Glenstone Road, Brighton beginning Friday, 4 December 2020 and will be working between 7.00 am and 7.00 pm. Investigations are expected to be completed by Friday, 18 December 2020, weather permitting.
Traffic management will be in place during the survey works, including a reduced speed limit, to ensure the safety of workers and road users and will be designed to minimise impacts on traffic.
Commenting on the developments Warren Clarke, NatRoad CEO, said “These upgrades and facilities are essential to support drivers who are keeping Australia moving. They deserve safe and clean facilities in the right locations to meet their fatigue management requirements, and NatRoad will keep asking State and Territory Governments to make these facilities available.”
NatRoad calls on all state and territory governments to follow Tasmania’s lead and take action to ensure that heavy vehicle rest areas are available to commercial heavy vehicle drivers only so that they can effectively manage their fatigue and comply with their legal work and rest obligations.
If you have any questions or comments on the rest area developments along the Bass Highway and the Midland Highway contact NatRoad on 1800 272 144 or email [email protected]
