03 Dec 07 Monster Trucks in CBD

MONSTER trucks six times as long as a family car will be permitted on major city roads under a plan being considered by the RTA.

At almost 30m long, the 10-axle vehicles, known as Super B-Doubles, dwarf the typical 4.8m family sedan.

Initially, the Giant Trucks will use roads in and around Port Botany, such as Foreshore Rd.

But under an industry proposal being assessed by the RTA, the next stage will allow the larger trucks on some routes between the port and western Sydney.

Smaller B-Double Trucks are now permitted on major roads including Bunnerong Rd at Pagewood, Victoria Rd at Drummoyne, Epping Rd at Lane Cove and the Pacific Hwy.

NSW Road Transport Association president Hugh McMaster said the new-age Trucks, which are currently illegal, should be trialled in the port precinct before a wider roll-out.

Super B-Doubles are permitted in the port precincts of Brisbane and Melbourne, where even larger B-Triples have limited access.

“B-Triples now run between Melbourne and Geelong so it can be done,” Mr McMaster said.

“The reason it works in Victoria is that you have a much better road in Geelong than you have in many parts of Sydney.”

Mr McMaster said NSW planners needed to catch up to other States because the freight task was set to double within 15 years.

“By 2025, a quarter of all vehicles on Sydney’s roads will be trucks so you have to start planning now to ensure the infrastructure is in place,” he said.

Roads Minister Eric Roozendaal last week announced an expanded rural network for B-Triples - 24-wheel Trucks as long as road trains.

“The NSW Government has no plans to allow B-Triples to operate outside of western NSW,” a spokesman for Mr Roozendaal said. “That means no B-Triples east of the Newell Highway.”

Next month, Mr Roozendaal will meet with other State and federal roads ministers to discuss a new national road freight network.

Tags: Giant trucks for sale, Monster trucks, Smaller B-Double Trucks