Temporary restrictions on State-controlled roads due to unplanned events – Heavy vehicle road user#

Introduction#

Transport and Main Roads is committed to ensuring specialist road users such as heavy vehicle road users have safe access to the State-controlled road (SCR) network. In meeting this commitment Transport and Main Roads may apply temporary restrictions on SCRs due to unplanned events, for example, flooding, that may impact the heavy vehicle road user. This information sheet provides guidance to the heavy vehicle road user where temporary restrictions are applied to SCRs.

Temporary restrictions on SCRs#

Transport and Main Roads may temporarily restrict a SCR due to unplanned events, for example, flooding, or bushfire. A variety of signage is used to reflect the temporary restriction applied including regulatory, warning, and advisory. Examples of signage may include, but are not limited to:

The restricted road use notice indicates that the SCR is closed to all traffic due to flooding, with a maximum penalty, should a road user drive past without an exemption.

Another example of a restricted road use notice indicates a SCR is restricted to a gross load limit of 46 t, with a maximum penalty, should a road user drive past without an exemption.

The official traffic sign consisting of no entry sign, road closed, indicates the road is closed to all traffic due to flooding. There are only very limited exemptions to drive past an official traffic sign (no entry sign).

Heavy Vehicle road user traveller information#

Transport and Main Roads provides a variety of information to assist the heavy vehicle road user plan, alter and manage their journey. Much of the traveller information is available via QLDTraffic including:

• Heavy vehicle road user road report
• State-controlled road freight network map
• Heavy vehicle road user rest areas map

Application to drive past a restricted road use notice#

Where a SCR is temporarily restricted and a restricted road use notice is displayed or erected, there may be circumstances where a heavy vehicle road user may require approval to drive past the restricted road use notice. This may include, but is not limited to:

• Single trip access to deliver essential goods or services (such as medication, food)

Importantly, the heavy vehicle road user may need to apply for other permits such as excess mass and dimension dependent on type of vehicle proposed to be used. The supply of an approval to drive past a restricted road use notice, does not replace the requirement to obtain or follow any other permit or notice requirements.

Where the heavy vehicle road user requires an approval to drive past a restricted road use notice they must contact the departmental Heavy Vehicle Operations office in the first instance on 07 3066 5511 between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM (AEST) Monday to Friday or email at qldaccess_hvropo@tmr.qld.gov.au.

In addition to an approval to drive past a restricted road use notice, where a mass or dimension permit is required, a heavy vehicle road user will also need to contact the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator on 13 64 87 between 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM (AEST), Monday to Friday.

Where heavy vehicle road users do not require a permit in accordance with guidelines or National Heavy Vehicle Law, they should contact Transport and Main Roads office directly.

Note, the Transport and Main Roads' Heavy Vehicle Operations office is directed to 1300 105 647 during a declared disaster. This number is not monitored outside of a declared disaster.

Considerations when submitting your application to drive past a restricted road use notice#

Where a heavy vehicle road user is intending to submit an application to drive past a restricted road use notice they may wish to consider the following (these are not exhaustive):

• applications are considered individually on a case-by-case basis and are not subject to a fee
• where approval is granted, it is vehicle and driver specific and cannot be transferred. Conversely, where the application is rejected, it cannot be appealed
• the Applicant must be the driver of the vehicle listed in the application
• heavy vehicle road users may wish to manage, that is prepare, submit, and issue to drivers, their applications centrally. This does not remove the requirement that the Applicant for the approval must be the driver (and drive the vehicle) listed in the application, and
• the application form to drive past a restricted road use notice, can be obtained from the departmental district office or relevant Transport and Main Roads' staff member when stationed at temporary restrictions.

Exceptions to drive past official traffic signs#

There are no applicable exceptions available to heavy vehicle road users to drive past official traffic signs such as the no entry sign.

Transport Inspectors#

Transport Inspectors (TIs) can provide heavy vehicle road users with assistance in-field on temporary restrictions on SCRs due to unplanned events. This may include:

• providing advice and availability of alternative routes
• information on how to obtain permits to move freight, and
• information on making an application to drive past a restricted road use notice

TIs may also undertake enforcement activities such as:

• monitoring of heavy vehicle road users' load limits
• enforcing restricted road use notices
• monitoring other temporary restrictions on SCRs and road signage education.
• checking compliance of approval / permits to move freight, and
• monitoring and enforcing load restrictions on roads and bridges.

References#

Transport and Main Roads EP147 Road closure policy for wet weather and flooding

Transport and Main Roads Operational standard for temporary restrictions on state-controlled roads due to unplanned events, and

Transport and Main Roads information sheet series (located under See also on Engineering Policies web page).

Transport and Main Roads' district offices#

Where a heavy vehicle road user is required to contact a Transport and Main Roads' district office, they do so on the details below, noting that standard office hours of 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (AEST) apply:

Policy, standard and information sheets#

timanagement@tmr.qld.gov.au

Network Operations, Statewide Network Operations

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