A new heavy vehicle inspection bay on the south-bound side of Alfords Point Road, Menai, has been officially opened.
Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) inspectors will check vehicles and drivers’ log books in the purpose-built bay, beneath the Old Illawarra Road bridge, 900 metres south of Brushwood Drive.
It replaces the previous inspection bay 900 metres south of Alfords Point Bridge, and is part of the $40 million road widening project that is scheduled to be finished by December this year.
New Roads Minister Melinda Pavey, with Miranda MP Eleni Petinos and Heathcote MP Lee Evans, cut a ribbon for the official opening.
Mr Evans said in a statement Alfords Point Road was a major freight corridor as part of the A6 route.
“It’s important we can safely intercept heavy vehicles travelling to regional areas and interstate and make sure they’re compliant and this bay will make the job much easier,” he said.
Ms Petinos said the steep grade where the previous inspection bay was located meant vehicles leaving it were unable to accelerate to a sufficient speed to merge safely.
“The new inspection bay includes permanent boundary fencing, lockable gates, lighting and about 160 metres of approach and exit lane to help vehicles safely merge,” she said.
Ms Pavey said more than 121,000 vehicles were intercepted in 2015-16 at heavy vehicle safety stations and inspection bays across the state.
