Michael Ferguson,Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
In her desperate attempt to seek relevance, Rebecca White is out misrepresenting the facts about another major infrastructure project that is already being rolled out and an election commitment that is already coming to life.
In fact, the Charles Street Bridge project is part of our bigger $40 million, five-year project that started in 2018. It is well underway and is dramatically improving the safety and flow of traffic in Launceston.
While Rebecca White and Labor continue to ignore reality, we are getting on with the job of delivering this major project in a sensible staged way, working with our partner the City of Launceston to ensure the roads are usable during upgrades.
If Ms White bothered to spend less time shoring up her leadership and more time in the North of the state, she would know exactly how the project is being rolled out and completed – this is not new: https://www.examiner.com.au/story/6477924/invermays-traffic-plans-right-hand-lanes-removed-and-added/
These works are being planned, scheduled and undertaken in close partnership with the City of Launceston and are focused on addressing the traffic issues in the Invermay area.
A number of key projects are near completion including:
- A new roundabout installed at the intersection of East Tamar Highway and Mowbray Connector to improve safety and reduce congestion at this intersection. Traffic is now using the roundabout as intended, with some minor ancillary works underway on the side of the road before final completion.
- Upgrades to two priority intersections at Goderich Street and Gleadow Street, and Goderich Street and Forster Street, with the project expected to be completed on schedule by the end of this month. These upgrades will address congestion issues outlined in the Government's Launceston and Tamar Valley Traffic Vision and were identified in the City of Launceston's draft Invermay Traffic Master Plan.
- Installation of traffic signals to allow for right turns at the Goderich Street and Gleadow Street Intersection. This will provide additional capacity for the Riverbend precinct, taking pressure off Lindsay Street.
- The addition of a second northbound right turn lane and a second eastbound traffic lane at the intersection of Goderich Street and Forster Street, which will expand capacity for traffic accessing Invermay.
The facts don't change – the Tasmanian Liberal Government is getting on with the job of delivering job-creating infrastructure across the state – something the former Labor-Green government failed in.
The Liberal Government is spending on average nearly $100 million more per year than the former Labor-Green government.
On top of our record infrastructure program, we are fast-tracking and investing even more into job-creating infrastructure as part of our COVID-19 recovery package.
Labor elder Dick Adams was right about the Tasmanian Labor Party. They neglect the North and have no plan for jobs and economic growth.
