Work to upgrade two rest areas on the Newell Highway south of Moree has begun, benefitting all road users, particularly heavy vehicle drivers travelling in the state's north-west.
The Albanese and Minns Labor governments have committed $12 million to extensively upgrade the northbound and southbound rest areas either side of the Newell Highway at Tycannah.
The Tycannah rest areas upgrade work is receiving $2.4 million in funding from the NSW government, and $9.6 million in funding through the Australian Government's Heavy Vehicle Rest Area initiative under the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program.
The existing rest areas at Tycannah service the major long-haul interstate freight route linking Melbourne and Brisbane but currently have no toilets and no turning lanes.
The upgrades will include a reconfiguration of the rest areas to better accommodate extra-long vehicles, and also deceleration lanes at the entry of the rest areas to improve safety.
Separate caravan parking will be provided in both the northbound and southbound rest areas which also provides separate parking for light and heavy vehicles.
Based on feedback from the freight industry in 2022, design work at both rest areas has included a focus on retaining as much of the existing mature vegetation as possible.
The northbound rest area will also be extended by 150 metres as part of the work.
Work on the rest area upgrades is expected to take six months to complete. Work will be carried out between 7am and 5pm on weekdays and from 8am to 1pm on Saturdays, with no work on Sundays or public holidays.
Changed traffic conditions including single lane closures and temporary rest area closures will be in place during the upgrade for the safety of workers and motorists.
A map showing the location of NSW rest areas is available on the https://maps.transport.nsw.gov.au/egeomaps/rest-areas/index.html
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:
"The Albanese and Minns Labor Governments are investing in safer, upgraded rest areas to support the people and freight that keep the north-west moving.
"These upgrades support a more efficient road network and encourage drivers to take proper breaks on long trips, meaning their journeys are safer and they get home to loved ones."
Quotes attributable to Chair of the Heavy Vehicle Rest Area Steering Committee Senator Glenn Sterle:
"As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting Australia's freight network, we're improving critical rest areas like Tycannah to ensure our truck drivers have access to safe, modern and accessible facilities along key freight routes.
"This announcement comes off the back of the recent opening of the Spring Creek rest area, about 12km north of Narrabri on the Newell Highway which I had the pleasure of attending. These significant investments show our commitment to improving safety for truck drivers and the broader driving community.
"While this investment primarily caters for our essential truckers, this project will also provide practical rest area facilities and separate parking for light traffic and tourists towing caravans."
Quotes attributable to NSW Labor Duty MLC for Northern Tablelands Peter Primrose:
"We are working with the road freight industry to improve the quantity and quality of heavy vehicle rest stops across the state.
"Fatigue is one of the top three contributors to serious heavy vehicle crashes on NSW roads so these improvements help drivers comply with the national fatigue legislation while helping reduce the incidence of crashes involving heavy vehicles in the north-west region."
