$14m in truck rest stop upgrades to benefit sites in the Mid West and Gascoyne

Work will soon start to upgrade heavy vehicle rest areas in 14 spots across regional WA, including in the Mid West and Gascoyne.

The priority locations to benefit from $14 million in government funding were chosen after consultation with peak industry groups, and comprise of major upgrades at Newman, Auski, Karijini and Leonora and improvements at 10 sites in the Mid West, Gascoyne, Wheatbelt, Pilbara, Goldfields-Esperance and South West.

In the Mid West and Gascoyne, the projects include $200,000 for North West Coast Highway at Northampton for minor improvements and the construction of an ablution block and $400,000 for the Minilya Exmouth Road for minor works and shower and ablution block.

The State and Federal Governments have invested $50m under the Freight Vehicle Productivity Improvements Program.

The 2022-23 program has a $36m allocation.

“Freight drivers provide an essential service and it’s important we have the necessary amenities and facilities available in regional WA that these drivers need,” WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said.