‘Unsafe conditions’ halt BHP at roadway

A number of oversized loads were left stranded on the BHP Billiton Redbank Bridge access road last Thursday after heavy fog overnight delayed their transit.

The mine modules were on their way from the port to Boodarie Industrial Estate on Wednesday night when a police escort declared the driving conditions unsafe, and ordered the trucks to stop on the access road off Great Northern Highway.

A police spokesman said low visibility caused by heavy fog in Port Hedland meant it was not safe for the extremely large vehicles to travel overnight.

The spokesman said because the trucks were only allowed to move at night to avoid traffic disruption they were forced to wait all day Thursday.

Speaking on the day, he said the vehicles were expected to continue their trip that evening.

The oversized loads are for a BHP Billiton Jimblebar mine development, 40km east of Newman, with the journey from Hedland tipped to last four nights.