A $5.2 million expansion of the northbound rest area at Mundoonan on the Hume Highway is one of the major projects to get the green light in the latest round of the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP).
A total of $22.6 million is being spent across nine projects, with the federal goverment chipping in more than $18 million of that total.
At Mundoonan, the money is being spent to “investigate, design and upgrade” the existing rest area at Mundanoon northbound on the Hume Highway near Jerrawa.
The project will also reconfigure the parking area to accommodate higher productivity vehicles, according to a media release sent to industry today.
“I’m thrilled to announce another nine vital freight corridors will see safety and productivity improvements across Australia under the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program,” said Senator Carol Brown, who is also the Assistant Transport Minister.
“These projects will bolster access and improve freight transport through local communities.
“Investment in segments of our roads which are much utilised by heavy vehicles has never been more important, with many of our communities grappling with ongoing flooding and tightening supply chains.
“The program makes a real difference for motorists and industry by shortening transport routes and renewing aging infrastructure, and I look forward to seeing the benefits from these latest projects flow.”
This funding is part of the Australian Government’s ongoing commitment of at least
$65 million per year to state, territory and local governments to increase safety and productivity for heavy vehicle operations in our regions.
This latest investment includes nearly $1.8 million to widen the seal on a 1.7km section of the Oakey Biddeston Road in Queensland, and $317,760 to upgrade an intersection at Healesville/Kinglake Road in Kinglake, Victoria.
In the October budget, the federal government committed an additional $80 million to support new and upgraded heavy vehicle rest areas.
This brings the Government’s total commitment in dedicated funding for heavy vehicle rest areas to $140 million over 10 years. Funding will be available for projects to build and upgrade rest areas so drivers have the facilities they need to rest, recuperate and return safely home.
For information on the HVSPP, click here.