Construction of the $46.4 million Hobart Airport Interchange, a key part of the $350 million upgrade of the Tasman Highway into Hobart, has been completed.
All roadworks have now been completed and the interchange is fully operational, with landscaping on the Tasman Highway to be completed early in 2023.
The airport Interchange project is part of the South East Traffic Solution, jointly funded by the Australian and Tasmanian governments, which will provide a consistent four-lane highway between Sorell and the Hobart CBD.
The Australian Government contributed $37.1 million to the project, while the Tasmanian Government invested the remaining $9.3 million.
The interchange replaces a roundabout, which was nearing capacity due to increases in freight traffic and commuters from fast-growing residential areas around Sorell and Hobart's Southern Beaches areas.
The interchange will also support planned improvements to Hobart International Airport to cater for increases in tourists and freight.
The interchange features on and off-ramps from the highway accessing the Hobart Airport on Holyman Avenue, Kennedy Drive, and Cranston Parade.
Roundabouts underneath the highway efficiently and safely control the intersections, while pedestrians, cyclists and other active transport users have access to a dedicated shared path between Kennedy Drive and Holyman Avenue.
The Sorell Southern Bypass, which provides a direct link between the Tasman and Arthur Highways, taking traffic out of the centre of Sorell, was opened to traffic in July.
The Midway Point Intersection Solution, which provides signals at the Tasman Highway's key junction with Penna Road and four lanes of traffic through Midway Point, was completed in October.
Planning and design is progressing on the remaining two projects under the South East Traffic Solution.
They are the duplication of the two causeways either side of Midway Point and duplication of the Tasman Highway between the airport interchange and the Midway Point causeway.
Comments attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:
"The Australian Government is committed to delivering vital infrastructure upgrades for Tasmania.
"The Hobart Airport Interchange is all about enhancing growth, and bringing lasting benefits to Tasmanians and visitors alike"
Quotes attributable to Federal Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Carol Brown:
"This project was delivered as part of the South East Traffic Solution, which has made strong progress - with the airport interchange being the third major project completed in 2022.
"It is great to see the Hobart Airport Interchange reach completion with new features ensuring a safer journey for all road users and saving motorists time each and every day."
Comments attributable to Tasmanian Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson:
"The completion of the Hobart Airport interchange will improve traffic flow and safety for commuters travelling to and from Sorell, the Southern Beaches, Tasman Peninsula and the lower East Coast as well as benefitting airport traffic.
"I look forward to progress with the federal environmental approvals to commence the final stages of the South East Traffic Solution - the duplication of both causeways and the duplication of the Tasman Highway between the new interchange and the Midway Point causeway.''
