Rest area upgrades underway on Sturt, Hume highways

Major upgrades are progressing at three heavy vehicle rest areas on the Sturt and Hume highways.

The Australian and New South Wales Governments are jointly investing in improved rest facilities to support driver wellbeing, reduce fatigue-related risks and improve conditions for the freight industry.

A joint $1 million investment will see upgrades to both the eastbound and westbound Ravensworth rest areas at Maude, delivering new toilet blocks, improved lighting and better amenities.

Transport for NSW Executive Director, Cassandra Ffrench, said quality rest areas play a vital role in supporting truck drivers and improving road safety.

“Roads are a heavy vehicle driver’s workplace, and rest areas are important facilities that support drivers’ health, safety and wellbeing, and enable compliance with mandatory fatigue management breaks,” she said.

“These upgrades are about giving truck drivers access to cleaner, safer and more accessible facilities so they can take proper breaks and return to the road refreshed.

“Fatigue is one of the biggest risks on our highways and providing quality rest areas is one of the most practical things we can do to address it.”

Work will start on the westbound rest area on 29 June, with work at both sites expected to be completed by late August, weather permitting.

One rest area will remain open throughout the work.

Meanwhile, the $2.4 million upgrade of the southbound Kyeamba Gap East Rest Area between Tarcutta and Holbrook is close to completion.

The area is expected to reopen on 31 July.

The work will transform an existing basic stop into a modern facility featuring toilets, disability accessible amenities, picnic areas, improved lighting, two heavy vehicle parking lanes, drainage upgrades, new signage and upgraded safety barriers.

“Transport for NSW is working with the road freight industry to improve the quantity and quality of heavy vehicle rest stops and support driver wellbeing and safety,” a Transport for NSW spokesperson said.

“These projects build on upgrades delivered in the past two years at more than 10 sites across the Silver City, Pacific, Hume, Newell and Sturt highways.”

In other news, Centurion Chief Executive Officer, Justin Cardaci, has announced his resignation.