January 18, 2016
Works to provide a significant upgrade to the rest area site at the intersection of the Princes Highway and Murrungowar Road in East Gippsland will start soon, following the awarding of the construction contract.
Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said Fowlers Asphalting Pty Ltd has been awarded the construction contract to upgrade the rest area east of Orbost.
“This $3.38 million project is being funded under the Investment Road and Rail programme and will upgrade the popular rest stop by improving access and amenities and providing segregated parking areas for cars and heavy vehicles,” Mr Truss said.
“Driver fatigue is a major safety hazard for the road transport industry. Providing adequate facilities along major highways and significant freight routes is crucial to the success of fatigue management and cutting fatigue-related crashes.”
Victorian Minister for Roads, Road Safety and Ports Luke Donnellan said the Murrungowar site had been identified as the best location for improvements following consultation.
“Works will provide a much safer and more convenient rest point for up to 40 heavy vehicles each day, a five-fold increase on its current capacity,” Mr Donnellan said.
“Separate additional parking bays will be installed for noisy trucks with refrigeration or livestock and the designated parking bays for eight B-Doubles will be upgraded.”
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the rest area upgrade is a great example of the government taking practical action improving the efficiency and safety of roads across the state.
“The road freight industry is a vital part of Gippsland’s economy, and it is important truck drivers and other motorists using the Princes Highway have access to rest places to arrive at their destination safely,” Mr Chester said.
“Work is due to start next month and be complete in late 2016.”
The truck stop, rest area and road improvement works at Princes Highway East and Murrungowar Road are being jointly funded with $2.535 million from the Australian Government and $845,000 from the Victorian Government.