The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has published two emergency notices giving consent to increased access for road trains between South Australia and Western Australia.
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In lieu of torrential rainfall that has seen the closure of the ARTC rail corridor between Kalgoorlie and Rawlinna, the NHVR announced the two notices that give consent to increased access for road trains up to 53.5m, between Port Augusta in South Australia and the Western Australia border, and then internally into Western Australia.
NHVR Chief Operating Officer, Paul Salvati, said the notice would provide heavy vehicle drivers and operators with increased flexibility and expedited access to critical routes to enable efficient transport of supplies and emergency relief for isolated communities.
“For any driver navigating these challenging conditions, be prepared by taking any necessary precautions, equip yourself and your vehicle appropriately, and always prioritise safe driving practices to ensure a safe and secure journey,” he said. “Operators should carefully brief any drivers who are new to the route, including on the location of rest areas and fuel stops. The last thing we want to see is overloaded or unsafe truck operations, with compliance paramount during this time.”
News of the NHVR’s emergency notices follows rainfalls of up to 50.2mm in a day in the Goldfields region, resulting in the flooding of highways and damage to key transport networks. According to Salvati, the NHVR is anticipating more trucks on the road during the flooding, saying the situation is fraught with danger due to unpredictable road conditions.
“Due to the heightened risk and uncertainty, the NHVR will be proactively patrolling the region to ensure all heavy vehicle drivers are travelling safely,” he said. “The last thing we want to see is overloaded or unsafe truck operations, with compliance paramount during this time.”
The two emergency notices are being delivered in partnership with each state’s road authorities.
Read the SA Notice and the WA Notice in full.
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