The Nationals Member for Mildura, Peter Crisp has called on the Minister for Roads and Sports to fund the installation of passing lanes on the Sturt Highway between Merbein South and the South Australian border.
“The Sturt Highway west of Mildura is part of both the interstate road freight network and the interstate tourist route for both buses and caravans.
“As the amount of freight increases and, I hope, domestic tourism grows, there is a need for passing lanes. This is a heavy freight highway between Mildura and Adelaide, and anyone who has had to travel it will know how frustrating it is to be caught between b-double trucks or in the middle of a convoy of caravans.
“This frustration will often boil over into split-second decisions which can lead to unsafe overtaking, and often sitting behind a truck can lead to a cracked windscreen and reduced visibility as dust and stones from the highway’s shoulder are thrown up.
“As I urged the Minister to consider the installation of overtaking lanes, I stress that it is not a convenience factor, but in essence a very real safety factor. The Mallee country is undulating, not flat, and safe passing of traffic can be difficult.
“At the very least, I would invite the Minister to visit Mildura and travel this 200km stretch of highway to see first-hand the need that exists for safe passing lanes,” Mr Crisp said.
Media Contact: Peter Crisp (03) 5021 2828
