Truck drivers travelling across Sydney will soon be able to stop at the city’s first dedicated heavy vehicle rest area, with the Australian and NSW Governments identifying a six-hectare piece of land located close to a key junction of the motorway network.
The Federal and NSW Governments will each contribute $40 million as a first step towards transforming the greenfield site at Eastern Creek into a purpose-built rest stop where truckies can shower and take a break from driving.
The site is located five minutes from the M7 and 10 minutes from the M4 and will be of particular benefit to drivers hauling freight through Sydney between Victoria and Queensland, said NSW Minister for Transport and Roads, John Graham.
“This land is close by the heart of the motorway network where the M7 and the M4 meet at Eastern Creek making it the ideal site,” said Mr Graham.
“At the moment there is a 180-kilometre gap from the southern outskirts of Sydney to the Central Coast in which truck drivers must make do with service stations and local roads to get a break. This is not fair.
“By ensuring our truck drivers are well-rested we are also ensuring the safest possible motorway network for all drivers,” he said.
A survey of 800 truckies – overwhelmingly long-haul drivers of B-doubles and semi-trailers – found safety and security was their highest priority for a rest area, as well as the provision of separate toilet and shower facilities for female drivers.
“We’ve listened to our truck drivers, and will deliver what they’ve asked for – shelter, toilets, hot showers, drinking water, shade and bays to sleep,” said Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King.
“These are things that we often take for granted at our own workplace but are not easily accessible for our truckies while they are working on the road.
“Availability of adequate rest areas helps truckies to better manage fatigue and avoid incidents on the road, ultimately saving lives.”
Based on driver feedback and industry consultation, the rest area will provide flushing toilets, clean drinking water, hot showers, ample available parking including secluded bays for sleeping, and shaded areas for time outside the truck cabin.
The new rest stop will also provide space for a range of heavy vehicles, including oversize overmass.
For more information click here Heavy Vehicle Rest Stopping Improvements | Transport for NSW.
