I welcome the completion of the extensive upgrade to the Road Train Assembly Area at the corner of the Great Northern Highway and Apple Street in Upper Swan, including the installation of a new Weigh-In-Motion facility.

The Government of Western Australian and its industry partners, Best Roads Group and Downer Engineering, have delivered this $1.4 million project on time and on budget - a good outcome for both taxpayers and the State's truck drivers.

Jointly funded by the Federal and State governments, the upgrade to the Apple Street Road Train Assembly Area has:

• Expanded its asphalt parking area by 6,000 square-metres to around 29,000 square-metres, providing more drivers with the opportunities to take a break or reconfigure their trailers at any one time;


• Installed a Weigh-In-Motion (WIM) facility so transport inspectors from Main Roads WA can undertake their vehicle compliance activities safely and more efficiently;


• Laid new line markings; and


• Built barriers to mitigate noise and visual pollution.

The Federal funding for this project was provided under the Gillard Labor Government's $70 million Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program, the first ever significant Federal response to the lack of safe, modern roadside facilities along the nation's highways.

Across Western Australia, this Program is funding 8 new and 5 refurbished rest stops; 6 new parking bays; 4 new and 16 refurbished decoupling bays.