A total ban on heavy freight trucks crossing the West Gate Bridge from next week will push more of the “monster trucks” on to residential inner-west streets.
VicRoads has revoked permits for the trucks to use the ageing bridge, leaving all west-bound carriers no legal choice but to travel through Footscray and Yarraville via Whitehall and Francis streets and Williamstown Road.
The 77.5-tonne B-double and 85.5-tonne A-double trucks are the only trucks capable of carrying two 40-foot shipping containers.
VicRoads regional director Vince Punaro said some operators had been permitted to operate above the 68.5-tonne bridge load limit as part of a trial, but a ban will return from November 1.
The 68.5-tonne limit remains in place despite $371 million being spent on bridge-strengthening less than five years ago.
Maribyrnong council chief executive Stephen Wall said earlier this year shifting the trucks from the bridge to residential streets would have a negative impact.
“Increased truck traffic contributes to increased health, environmental and pollution costs and an increased need for road maintenance across our city,” Mr Wall said.
Maribyrnong Truck Action Group secretary Martin Wurt said MTAG has launched a petition against the use of the trucks through the inner-west, arguing heavy trucks should be limited to the freeway network.
“Francis Street was never designed for these monster trucks, we believe these are not appropriate roads,” he said.
“We shouldn’t have to pay the price for poor long-term infrastructure planning.”
Western suburbs Greens MP Colleen Hartland said the interests of the truck industry are being put before the health and safety of the community.
“If the West Gate Bridge can’t handle these heavy trucks, then they need to be taken off the road,” she said.
“If the West Gate Bridge can’t handle these heavy trucks, then they need to be taken off the road,” she said.
Ms Hartland yesterday wrote to roads minister Luke Donnellan to voice her concerns about the issue and said she will raise the matter in Parliament.
