Foundation and pavement works have started on the Newell Highway’s newest heavy vehicle rest area, which will be the largest of its kind in north-western New South Wales.
The rest area, which is located about 12 kilometres north of Narrabri, will feature 18 truck parking spaces up to 48.5 metres long, providing for short- and long-term parking.
Toilet facilities, a picnic shelter, rubbish bins and solar lighting will also be installed, along with some tree planting and landscaping.
Currently, outside of Narrabri, heavy vehicle drivers face lengthy detours for rest areas with toilets – either having to travel 31 kilometres south to the Bohena Rest Area or 52 kilometres north to the Tookey Creek Rest Area.
As well as the parking bay for trucks, it will also have space for 10 light vehicles and caravan parking spaces for short-term parking.
The rest stop is a key part of the Newell Highway Heavy Duty Pavement Upgrade project that is currently being delivered and involves major upgrades to 20 kilometres of road between Narrabri and Moree.
The Newell Highway Heavy Duty Pavement Upgrade project is jointly funded by the Australian government, which is contributing $205.7m, and the New South Wales government, which is contributing $55m.
The rest area is expected to be completed by early 2026.
NSW Regional Transport and Roads minister Jenny Aitchison recently visited the site and said she was “impressed” with the scope of the works in tailoring around the needs of heavy vehicle drivers.
“It was also pleasing to see how the layout of this rest area will deliver a much safer alignment for the road,” she added.
“I am grateful to the freight industry for their comprehensive feedback, which is enabling the NSW Labor Government to deliver more facilities that will truly support wellbeing and fatigue management of heavy vehicle drivers throughout NSW.
She said that there has been a shortage of rest areas in north-western NSW for too long, and she is pleased that the state and federal governments are investing in new facilities that will reduce driver fatigue and make journeys more comfortable.
“Driver fatigue contributed to at least 20 per cent of heavy vehicle fatal crashes in regional NSW in the five years to December 2023,’ she said.
“For the Newell Highway, fatigue is the highest contributing factor accounting for nearly 44 per cent of all heavy vehicle fatal crashes.”
The trucks own the Newell Hwy.