Truckies Spy has spoken to have been giving the thumbs up to an upgraded rest area located along the Barkly Highway between Mount Isa and Camooweal, deep in the outback.
There is around 190km between those two outback towns, with the new and improved David Hall Monument rest area about midway.
The upgrades included a new toilet block, repairs to the existing shade shelter, and an additional second shelter to provide more shaded areas for breaks.
The rest area has also been sealed to improve access and reduce dust, ensuring a more comfortable and practical stop for drivers.
The upgraded new ablution block has been welcomed by drivers who have contacted Spy.
“I stopped there the other day and it has male, female and disabled toilets which are septic flushed and is not one of those smelly and insect ridden ones with a hole in the ground. The view from there is good on an elevated area,” a driver told me.
This highway is a well used route for trucks travelling to and from the NT and Queensland.
The rest area was closed during the works, which also involved asphalt resurfacing of the access to the facility.
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said truckies are the backbone of our state.
“That’s why we’re working to ensure they have access clean and safe amenities to rest and recover,” he said.
“The Crisafulli Government has delivered significant improvements to the David Hall Monument rest area to better serve road users.
“We’re committed to supporting regional Queenslanders and these facilities provide vital driver safety and fatigue management for those travelling between Camooweal and Mount Isa.”
The rest area is in honour of the late Main Roads engineer David Hall and the monument there bears his name.