Governments in Australia have pooled together $30 million to go towards 15 projects aimed at making roads in Western Australia safer for heavy vehicles.
As part of the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program, the projects have been backed with more than $13.7 million in Federal Government, $6.2 million in Western Australian Government and $11 million in local government funding.
The 15 projects involve road widening and realignments, construction of road train and truck parking and rest areas, and intersection upgrades.
The projects involve increasing the capacity of existing roads and improving connections to the nation’s key freight routes.
“Western Australia is a vast state with significant heavy vehicle road traffic, particularly throughout regional areas which may not have the infrastructure to support this level of freight,” Western Australian Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said.
“This funding will be used to upgrade existing rest stops, build new rest stops and construct new layover bays, providing drivers with more opportunities to take a break or reconfigure their trailers and for large loads to park up to allow other traffic to pass.
“As well as being incredibly beneficial to heavy vehicle drivers, these projects will ensure we continue to improve safety outcomes for all road users.
“This funding will help make sure more drivers – whether of heavy or standard vehicles – make it home safe every day.”