The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) has published an exemption notice that temporarily increases allowable fatigue hours for operators to support freight detours on the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass.
The vital NSW freight route is currently closed to all traffic in both directions for urgent road repairs after Transport for NSW discovered serious stress fractures in the pavement over Mitchells Causeway in early March. The highway is expected to be closed for at least three months.
The highway is a crucial, major freight route, serving as the primary east-west road connection between Sydney and regional NSW. It is the essential corridor for B-doubles and PBS vehicles transporting goods over the Blue Mountains.
As per Transport for NSW public advice, the detour along Main Street, Chifley Road and the Darling Causeway is suitable for general access vehicles and PBS Level 1 heavy vehicles up to 20 metres long.
Class 1 Oversize and/or Over Mass (OSOM) vehicles and Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV) cannot currently be accommodated on that detour route. Impacted operators of larger vehicles that must travel on these routes and cannot seek alternatives are advised to contact the NHVR.
For operators that are forced to take much longer alternative routes such as the Hume Highway (for Cowra, Bathurst, Forbes, Orange and Parkes) and the Golden Highway (for Mudgee and Dubbo), the NHVR notice – which commenced Monday, March 30 and expires Tuesday, June 30 – provides an exemption for heavy vehicles operating under Standard Hours to work an additional:
> Two hours per 24 hours, up to 14 hours;
> Four hours per seven days, up to 76 hours; and
> Six hours per 14 days, up to 150 hours.
Heavy vehicles operating under Basic or Advanced fatigue accreditation will be able to work an additional:
> 1.5 hours per 24 hours;
> Two hours per seven days; and
> Four hours per 14 days.
The NHVR notes that short rest breaks (at least 15 minutes) must be taken after no more than four hours of work. Night work must be limited to no more than six times in 14 days.
Eligible drivers using a work diary must record the exemption and note the time and detour used, the regulator adds.
For more information on the conditions of the exemption, refer to the published Notice.
Refer to the Great Western Highway Road Closure at Victoria Pass page for ongoing updates – as well as maps and estimated travel times for alternative routes.