NEWS
AAPA CONFIRMS ROADWORKS ARE AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE AAPA CEO Carlos Rial said he is proud to see industry implementing best practice government advice.
The Australian Asphalt Pavement Association (AAPA) has confirmed, through discussions with government bodies across the nation, that roads and associated roadworks are essential services. In a statement, AAPA CEO Carlos Rial highlighted that under many of the Essential Services Acts across the country it can be interpreted that roads and associated roadworks activities support the essential functions needed during emergent conditions. The statement reads that safe reliable road access protects the community against the
interruption and dislocation of essential services, which is the purpose of many of these acts. Mr. Rial noted that roads are the nations arteries and provide an essential service to support the following; • The needed freight that supplies business and consumers in critical times. • The need for safe access for emergency services, remote and vulnerable communities as well as the mines, ports and farms that keep the economy functioning. • The need to keep people employed as
roadworks provide a positive impact of additional employment for both skilled and semi-skilled workers in both regional and metropolitan areas. • The need for well-maintained roads to help protect the lives of those using them. To keep this essential service running, Mr. Rial noted it must be done in a safe manner and deliver the objectives of government to prevent the spread of COVID-19. He said in the statement that he is proud to see the industry implementing best practice government advice through onsite directives that prevent the risk of transfering the virus. Some of these measures include maintaining a safe social distance, maintaining good hygiene and having action plans to prepare for the event of flu like symptoms presenting on site. “Our members do have contingency plans and business continuity plans with clear COVID-19 policies that are communicated to all staff and I commend them for this,” Mr. Rial said. “COVID-19 is highly contagious, I am confident our industry will continue to implement best practice as defined by health authorities, to ensure our essential service can continue to be safely delivered for the community and also prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
ANOTHER SECTION OF PACIFIC HIGHWAY DUPLICATION COMPLETE A 12 kilometre section of the Pacific Highway between Tyndale and Maclean has opened, taking the project closer to completion. The new section of the four-lane divided highway takes the total of completed upgrades to more than 75 kilometers, as a result of the Pacific Highway upgrade project. NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the Pacific Highway duplication from Hexham to the Queensland border is the largest road infrastructure project in regional Australia. “We’re already seeing travel time reductions 6
ROADS MAY 2020
of around two hours, and fatal crashes on this stretch of highway have halved since the project started,” Mr. Toole said. “This is about keeping vital infrastructure work moving forward, infrastructure that keeps people employed and regional economies ticking and supports safer, faster journeys for freight operators at a time when it’s critical to keep essential goods flowing.” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said vital infrastructure projects would go
ahead despite the COVI D -19 pandemic because of their long-term value to regional communities. “We’re powering ahead with vital infrastructure projects like this because we understand just how important investments are to regional economies in this difficult time,” Mr. McCormack said. “Contractors will be complying with all relevant health advice to ensure their safety.” The duplication of the Pacific Highway from Woolgoolga to Ballina is expected to be complete at the end of this year.
