A new heavy vehicle inspection station will be built on the Golden Highway to make one of New South Wales’ key freight links safer.
Works have already begun on the new facility, which will be located Between Dubbo and Dunedoo on the western side of the Golden Highway.
The project forms part of a jointly-funded $23.7 million commitment under the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP) to implement a series of improvements along the highway.
As part of these improvements, the inspection station will use Intelligent Transport System (ITS) components including electronic speed signs, open/closed signage and network facilities.
It will also facilitate compliance monitoring and enforcement of heavy vehicles on the Golden Highway to reduce heavy vehicle overloading, fatigue-related heavy vehicle crashes and the risk of non-compliant vehicles travelling to Dubbo.
“The HVSPP provides funding for projects like this which work to make our most utilised freight routes safer for truckies and everyone using our roads,” said Federal Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Carol Brown.
“This inspection station is one of many HVSPP projects increasing safety and reliability for the trucking industry across Australia while enhancing access and improve freight transport through local rural communities.”
According to Senator for NSW, Deborah O’Neill, the project will help businesses deliver and receive products and services from heavy vehicles more efficiently.
“Through this key investment, the Australian Government is improving the safety of all road users and in particular those in the heavy vehicle freight industry accessing the Golden Highway between Dubbo and Dunedoo,” she said.
Most heavy vehicles registered in NSW need to be inspected annually under the Heavy Vehicle Inspection Scheme (HVIS) to ensure roadworthiness.
Bookings for inspections can be made here.
In other news, the first stage of the $80 million upgrade to Illawarra Road, a key freight link between the Midland and Bass Highways, has been completed.