The new Hume Highway vehicle rest area in Murlo, 40km north of Albury, is now under construction.

Catering for short and long stays, the rest area is intended to improve safety by combatting driver fatigue. The facility forms part of a $6.2 million project targeting safety on Hume Highway and has been jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.

New South Wales Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, Duncan Gay, said that the new rest area had been designed for the anticipated increase in freight movements on the Highway, with parking for up to 20 B-doubles.

“The new rest area will have a separate parking area for light vehicles, with six standard parking bays and one disabled parking bay, ensuring all motorists benefit from this investment,” Gay said.

“There will also be an amenities block with picnic tables and landscaping throughout the site.”

The project is expected to take about five months to complete. “Work starts from today and will continue Monday to Friday between 7am and 6pm, and from 8am to 1pm on Saturdays, with estimated completion by mid-April next year,” commented Federal Member for Farrer, Sussan Ley.

“When finished,” she added. “This new facility will make a huge difference to the productivity and safety for all drivers using the northbound lanes of the Hume Highway, giving them an area for either a short or long stay.”

During the Christmas and New Year period, from 23 December to 9 January, works will be suspended, and both lanes will be open and free of reduced speed limits from 16 December.

New South Wales Member for Albury, Greg Aplin, said, “We recognise the importance of ensuring the best possible flow of holiday traffic through the area. We thank all road users for their patience and safe driving as this important safety and productivity upgrade for the region is delivered.”

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Darren Chester, said the new facility was funded under the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Programme.

“The programme invests in improving road safety and reducing the number of truck-related incidents by targeting driver fatigue,” Chester said.