In this video, Booth Transport driver trainer Adam Judge talks about a steep and challenging section of the Murray Valley Highway, from Koetong to Bullioh.
The clip is part of a series of videos for the National Truck Accident Research Centre (NTARC) featuring practical tips to help truckies stay safe and in control during downhill runs.
A truckie for over 30 years, Judge is driving a 26-metre A-double milk tanker loaded with approximately 32 tonnes of farm fresh milk – a little over half loaded – illustrating the practical challenges faced by truck drivers on this descent in north-east Victoria.
As Judge explains, this steep and challenging descent is located about an hour’s drive east of Wodonga.
The Koetong to Bullioh stretch features a significant elevation drop over a relatively short distance, making it particularly demanding for heavy vehicles – especially trucks carrying large loads.
The main descent is 11 kilometres west of the Kuong Hotel and immediately after a truck parking bay.
“In the 11 kilometres between the Trestle Bridge and the stopping bay at the top of the descent proper, you’ve already dropped around 200 metres in elevation, an average of just under 3 per cent grade,” Judge says.
“From the stopping bay to the bridge over Dry Forrest Creek, is only 3.25 kilometres but you’ll drop 200 metres in elevation, giving an average grade of 6.2 per cent.
“The sections toward the top are steeper still, with two stretches, each about 500 metres long, which are between 9 and 10 per cent.
“That’s a serious grade if you’ve got weight on and even more so if the conditions are poor.”
