Narrabri motorists should expect bigger trucks using the Newell Highway between Narrabri and Goondiwindi, following an announcement by the state government.
Minister for Roads and Ports Duncan Gay has announced modular B-triple truck configurations will be allowed on the highway between the two towns.
“As part of national heavy vehicle reforms, modular B-triples are allowed to operate on the road train network west of the Newell under the same conditions as Type 1 road trains,” Mr Gay said.
“Under this reform transport operators travelling from far western NSW, say on the Kamilaroi Highway, will now be able to access the Newell at Narrabri to use the 225 kilometre stretch of highway to Goondiwindi, and then beyond.”
Even though they have a third trailer, Mr Gay said modular B-triples are typically shorter than Type 1 road trains currently operating on the stretch of the Newell.
“Overall, modern modular B-triples are safer than some of the older and heavier vehicle combinations using these routes, especially in terms of their manoeuvrability and handling performance,” Mr Gay said.
He added that the stretch of the Newell Highway between Narrabri and Goondiwindi has been determined as having suitable infrastructure to accommodate the trucks.