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Rest stops and road funding top priority for new minister

Queensland’s new Minister for Main Roads Craig Wallace has pledged to make truck driver rest stops a major priority and

Queensland’s new Minister for Main Roads Craig Wallace has pledged to make truck driver rest stops a major priority and to improve the State’s road network.

Wallace, who previously held the natural resources and water portfolio, says he will work with the Federal Government to ensure 52 new and upgraded rest stops are completed by 2014.

Of this funding, $5 million will come from revenue raised from speeding fines on Queensland’s roads.

“Managing heavy vehicle fatigue is one of our key priorities and is vital to reducing the State’s road toll,” Wallace says.

“The Department [of Main Roads] has begun work to deliver 52 new or upgraded heavy vehicle rest areas across the State.”

Wallace says the revenue from speeding fines will deliver 11 new rest areas next financial year.

Wallace has also emphasised the need for a boost in spending on regional roads, particularly the Bruce Highway.

“The Bruce Highway will be a priority and I’ll be working to secure further funding from the Federal Government to ensure our main highway is safe and secure,” he says.

“I have no doubt that the Main Roads portfolio will be extremely testing, but Im excited about the challenge ahead of me.”

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