Signposting of Greenmount Hill to be completed soon

19/1/94

Main Roads signposting of Greenmount Hill to improve vehicle safety will be completed on Saturday (Jan 22).

Transport Minister Eric Charlton said that in addition, drivers of permit vehicles throughout the State were being advised of the new compulsory stopping arrangements at the top of Greemount Hill before the descent into Midland.

About 700 letters had been sent to annual extra mass permit holders and B-double permit holders.

The Minister said that on the eastern approach to the hill, signs were being erected warning drivers of the steep descent; urging them to keep left; that all trucks must slow down; that a truck bay lay ahead and that there was a compulsory stopping requirement for loaded permit vehicles of more than 42.5 tonnes.

Consideration was also being given to extending the provision, by way of regulation, to cover other heavy vehicles not subject to permit.

"In the stopping bay itself, truck drivers will be reminded to check their braking systems and loads before descent and, importantly, to select a low gear," Mr Charlton said.

"There will be other supplementary information provided in the bay on the length of the descent and the different grades."

Warnings to drivers of lighter vehicles will be signposted at stopping points on side roads which enter Great Eastern Highway on the Greenmount descent.

"These signs will warn motorists that they are about to merge with heavy vehicles," Mr Charlton said.

"While truck-drivers must be aware of the particularly difficult driving conditions posed by Greenmount Hill, other motorists must be aware of the potentially hazardous driving environment this section of Great Eastern Highway presents."

The Minister said the work had cost $13,500 and was an immediate response from the Government to improve safety conditions along Greenmount Hill.

He said he expected a report from Main Roads next month on the feasibility and cost of providing an emergency stopping lane and heavy vehicle run-off bunkers.

Use of the truck stopping bay would be monitored by Main Roads to see if the facility had sufficient capacity.

Mr Charlton said there was room to expand the size of the stopping bay if warranted.

He said he intended approaching the Commonwealth for assistance in funding the road improvements.

He also congratulated local authorities in the Greenmount locality for organising last night's public meeting.

"About 100 people attended, mostly local residents with genuine concerns about traffic safety," Mr Charlton said.

"It was a successful forum for airing the problems that arise when heavy haulage and lighter traffic are forced to mingle in large volumes.

"Greenmount Hill is far from an ideal driving environment.

"However, until we can obtain the necessary funds from the Commonwealth to construct an alternative road link, the Orange Route, we must endeavour to make what we have safer.

"The Government will continue to explore ways of making the hill safer in a physical sense.  In the meantime, a lot will be accomplished if drivers of all vehicles travelling the hill are conscious of the specific conditions this area presents."

Media contact:  Dean Roberts 321 7333