Sydney region

Galston Road, Hornsby Heights and Galston via Galston Gorge

Latest News

Roads and Maritime Services (formerly Roads and Traffic Authority) now has remote access to the over-length camera system installed on the eastern end of the Gorge. Images of all over-length vehicles that ignore the signs and warnings and proceed along Galston Road through Galston Gorge are being captured by these cameras.

This means Roads and Maritime Services will begin enforcement investigation procedures based on the data and images captured by the truck loggers and cameras and every over-length heavy vehicle ignoring the restriction signs will now receive warning letters. If the warning letters are not acted on enforcement action will be taken.

Galston Road

On 22 July 2011 a large rock fell onto Galston Road - approximately 80 tonnes.

Six truck loads of debris were removed from the site.

An assessment of the area determined that further rock removal and stabilisation works were required.

This work is now complete.

Galston Gorge and initiatives to stop vehicles blocking the Gorge

Galston Road is an important regional link with an annual average daily traffic (AADT) volume of 5000 vehicles. Galston Road through Galston Gorge is the most direct route between Galston and Hornsby.

There is a history (on average 3 per year), of trucks contravening the 7.5 metre length restriction and becoming stuck in the tight, steep bends of Galston Gorge. When this happens, major detours are required and major delays to road users occur. Already this year there have been two reported incidents of over-length vehicles becoming stuck. On Tuesday 8 February 2011, the Gorge was closed for more than four hours after a prime mover with a trailer carrying 5 horses became trapped. Police were called to manage traffic which had to be turned around. Further crews removed the horses and then towed the empty truck. On Friday 25 March 2011, a coach measuring 13.5 metres in length became stuck and required removal.

In November 2010, to reduce the number of vehicles that become stuck in the Gorge, a package of work was announced.

Current project

Roads and Maritime Services is:

Installing truck loggers on Galston Road to measure and record the details of all over-length vehicles proceeding to the gorge. The loggers will trigger signs warning the drivers of over-length vehicles to turn around.
Constructing a roundabout on the western side of the gorge to enable over-length vehicles to turn around.
Installing advanced warning signs on both the eastern and western ends of the gorge to provide drivers of over-length vehicles with plenty of notice and opportunity to turn around before they enter the gorge.
Installing measuring bays on both ends of the gorge for drivers to measure the length of their vehicle/combination.
Installing signs at the two measuring bays giving drivers a number to call if they are unsure what to do.
Installing cameras on the eastern end of the gorge to capture all over-length vehicles that ignore the signs and warnings and proceed through the gorge. Roads and Maritime Services will then act to enforce the restriction.

Further information

For more information regarding the installation of the truck infrared traffic logger sensor system and corresponding camera system, please contact Roads and Maritime Services' Compliance Enforcement Branch on 1300 782 230.