William Scott
The Federal Government is investing nearly $213 million to upgrade critical highways and build active transport routes across Tasmania’s south east, and a further $43 million to upgrade roads in the north east of the state.
The investment is part of the Federal Government’s plan to build Tasmania’s future and make Australian cities and regions even better places to live.
Funding for south east Tasmanian roads
The investment in the state’s south includes $204 million to improve the Arthur Highway and widen the Sorell Rivulet Bridge. This infrastructure forms the main access route between Port Arthur, Sorell and Hobart, providing a critical corridor for residents and tourists between some of the state’s most popular destinations.
The investment will ease congestion for a growing community, as well as benefit agricultural and water supply businesses, tourists and local residents.
Funding will also go towards safety upgrades including overtaking lanes, intersection improvements and road modifications to enhance traffic flow such as shoulder widening and changes to lane configuration. It is expected to also include works to enable active and public transport as well as better signage and tourism pullover areas.
The Brooker Highway will receive $4 million to enable planning for critical safety and efficiency improvements. This will focus on identifying works that are most needed to improve safety, capacity, and resilience and support active travel on one of Hobart’s major arterial roads.
An additional $2 million has also been committed to undertake further public transport planning on the Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor. This is part of the Federal Government’s now $40.5 million investment in enhancing public transport infrastructure across Hobart.
Along with roads and public transport, the Federal Government is better connecting communities by delivering walking and cycling paths.
Almost $3 million will be invested under the Active Transport Fund in two new projects across the south east of the state to build new or upgrade existing bicycle and walking paths:
- More than $2.2 million for the Tasman Council for a 4km multi-use walking track connecting the towns of Nubeena and White Beach, south-east of Hobart
- Almost $500,000 for Brighton Council to design and build a new shared path connecting to the existing path along the East Derwent Highway and to the new Bridgewater Bridge. This project also includes an extension of the path along Glenstone Road in Brighton, linking it to the pathway network within the Brighton township
The Federal Government has also brought forward $15.6 million of funding for the Tasmanian Freight Rail Revitalisation – Tranche 4 – Network project, which has a total Federal commitment of $81.6 million. This will allow the ongoing delivery of improved network performance and assurance of supply chains for Tasmania’s largest freight producers.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, said the Federal Government is investing in the transport projects that matter most to Tasmanians, upgrading the state’s critical highways including the Bass, Tasman, Arthur, Esk and Brooker Highways.
“We’re making Tasmania’s roads safer, stronger and more efficient which means convenient commutes and faster freight.”
Funding for north east Tasmanian roads
As part of the $43 million funding boost, the Federal Government is investing $20 million to progress planning and design work for the New Tamar Crossing – a new bridge over the Kanamaluka/River Tamar, in partnership with the Tasmanian Government.
Planning for the New Tamar Crossing is expected to start in 2025, with an estimated completion date to be determined in consultation with the Tasmanian Government.
Further south, $10 million will go towards improving the resilience of Esk Main Road at St Marys Pass, ensuring it remains open and safe during severe weather events.
The Esk Highway is the main access road between the Midland Highway and the east coast. This investment is expected to reduce the economic cost of closures and emergency repairs, safeguarding the route for years to come.
The Federal Government has also committed additional funding to ensure the delivery of critical projects across the north, including:
- An additional $4 million for further safety improvements to Bridport Road, including pavement rehabilitation, road widening and improvements to junctions, to improve freight productivity and access to freight gateways. This brings the total Federal investment in the road to $20 million
- An additional $4 million for the Murchison Highway corridor, including overtaking lanes, shoulder sealing and curve-widening works, taking the total Federal investment to $39 million
- An additional $3.8 million to support further planning and concept design work for the Devonport to Cradle Mountain corridor, taking the total Commonwealth funding for the project to $6.3 million
The Federal Government is also investing in walking and cycling paths in Tasmania’s north east. Almost $1.3 million will be funded under the Active Transport Fund in two new projects to build new or upgrade existing bicycle and walking paths:
- More than $670,000 for Launceston City Council to build a new path connecting Youngtown Primary School with existing footpaths in the Oakden Park area and the Kate Reed Reserve
- $610,000 for Meander Valley Council to design and build approximately 2.1km of new footpath and cycleways along Panorama Road between Bayview Drive and Neptune Drive, Blackstone Heights
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, said getting vital planning done for the New Tamar Crossing will support Launceston’s growing population by allowing them to move faster and more safely across the region.
“The project will enhance the resilience of the road network by providing increased flood immunity while also better connecting people between where they live and work.”
Federal Senator for Tasmania, Helen Polley, said road upgrades are essential to road user safety ensuring the community remains safe on our roads.
“In particular, this funding will ensure safer roads for people working in our transport industry and ease the daily commute.
“The community has championed the new Tamar Crossing for some time and this new bridge will now link the West Tamar and East Tamar to benefit locals and tourists.”
Federal Member for Lyons, Brian Mitchell, said the projects add to the Federal Government’s infrastructure investments throughout regional Tasmania.
“In Lyons for example, the Federal Government is also investing $10 million towards improving the resilience of Esk Main Road at St Marys Pass.
“It is projects like these that are making our roads safer and improving driver experiences.”
