Construction will begin later this year on a new rest stop on both the Sturt and Dukes highways, providing long distance truck drivers with even more opportunities to take a break or catch up on their sleep.

In addition, a permanent heavy vehicle weigh station and quarantine inspection station will be co-located with the new rest stop planned for the Sturt Highway on the main route between Adelaide and Sydney, a move that will save truck drivers both time and money.

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said the new rest stops were approved under second and final round of the Rudd Labor Government’s $70 million Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program – the first ever significant Federal response to the lack of safe, modern facilities along the nation’s highways.

“Since coming to office, we’ve been working with the trucking industry, as well as state and territory governments, to begin addressing the lack of safe, modern roadside facilities such as rest stops, parking bays and decoupling areas,” said Mr Albanese.

“The projects we’re announcing today are in addition to the 26 approved on the State’s highways under the Program’s first round, including twelve new and fourteen refurbished rest stops and parking bays.

“In the years ahead, the trucking industry will also benefit from the unprecedented investment we’re making in the State’s highways as well as the 2013 introduction of one set of nationwide heavy vehicle laws administered by a single national regulator.”

The new projects are being jointly funded by the Rudd and Rann Labor governments, with the federal Government contributing $5.79 million and the South Australian Government $1 million. The $1m State contribution is part of a $10m program over 4 years to improve rest areas in South Australia.

South Australian Transport Minister Pat Conlon said that for the first time the Federal and State governments were working together to make our roads safer by helping truck drivers get the rest they need.

“The two new sites were selected in consultation with the trucking industry and following research into known fatigue zones on the State’s road network,” said Mr Conlon.

Nationwide, the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program to date is funding 34 new and 59 refurbished rest stops; 9 new and 18 refurbished parking bays; 5 new and 16 refurbished decoupling bays; 15 bridge strengthening projects, and 14 warning sign projects.