WA has issued temporary east-west road train permit measures due to the record rainfall in NSW and the recent rail derailment in Victoria.
In a note to its members today, the Western Roads Federation (WRF) says floods in NSW have closed the freight rail line connecting Sydney to Adelaide, Darwin and Perth, and the freight rail accident near Geelong has closed the freight rail line connecting Melbourne to Adelaide, Darwin and Perth.
“ARTC has a good track record of getting the line back in action, but until then these measures [below] are in place until December 1,” said the WRF.
“NHVR advised that they will be posting their approvals in the next hour.”
WA Heavy Vehicle Services HVS Update 51-2022 – Main Roads Heavy Vehicle Services | Temporary Special Assistance | East-west Rail Closure
Please be advised Main Roads has approved the Temporary Special Assistance – East West Rail Closure – 36.5m Access and the Temporary Special Assistance – East West Rail Closure – 53.5m Access permit endorsements in response to the closure of the east-west rail due to flood damage and derailment. Suitably accredited transport operators undertaking interstate transport tasks can apply for the temporary assistance permit endorsement, until December 1, 2022.
The Temporary Special Assistance – East West Rail Closure – 53.5m permit endorsement provides temporary access for road trains up to 53.5 metres in length to operate between the WA/SA Border and the Kalgoorlie Rail Head or the Coolgardie Road Train Assembly Area.
The Temporary Special Assistance – East West Rail Closure – 36.5m Access permit endorsement provides temporary access for road trains up to 36.5 metres in length to operate on Great Eastern Highway, between the Northam Road Train Assembly Area and Roe Highway in the Perth Metropolitan Area, removing the need to disconnect trailers at Northam.
The temporary access arrangements on Great Eastern Highway are subject to the following permit conditions:
- The vehicle combination must display an amber flashing warning light on the rear of the combination that is clearly visible to traffic approaching from the rear.
- The vehicle combination travelling on Great Eastern Highway from Yilgarn Avenue to Roe Highway must be escorted by a Main Roads WA Transport Inspector vehicle. Drivers must wait at the Northam Road Train Assembly Area on Yilgarn Avenue for the escort.
- The vehicle combination must not travel on Great Eastern Highway, between Yilgarn Avenue and Roe Highway between the hours of 6am and 9am, or 4.30pm and 8pm.
- Operators must ensure drivers are trained in the use of the particular auxiliary braking system fitted to the prime mover. Drivers must ensure the auxiliary braking system is set correctly and low gear is engaged prior to descending Greenmount Hill at a maximum speed of 40km/h.
To apply for a permit endorsement, each vehicle will require a Class 2 & 3 Supplement Period Permit. Operators can complete and email the form to permit.applications@mainroads.wa.gov.au specifying they want the Class 2 & 3 Supplement Period Permit with endorsement number 8405 – “Temporary Special Assistance – East West Rail Closure – 36.5m Access” and / or 8406 – “Temporary Special Assistance – East West Rail Closure – 53.5m Access”.
For further information, please contact the Heavy Vehicle Help Desk on 138 486 or email hvs@mainroads.wa.gov.au.