The Bass Highway is set for a significant safety boost with the Australian and Tasmanian Governments announcing the next critical investments in the Northern Tasmanian transport corridor.
The $420 million Stage 2 of the Tasmanian Roads - Northern Roads Package, is funded with $336 million from the Australian Government and $84 million from the Tasmanian Government.
Stage 2 of the Northern Roads Package includes upgrades on the East Tamar Highway, West Tamar Highway and Bass Highway to support increased heavy vehicle movement and improved safety for all road users.
Works are already underway on the West Tamar Highway, including the nearly complete duplication of lanes between Freshwater Point Road and Acropolis Drive, improvements to intersections, and the construction of cycling and pedestrian infrastructure.
These next upgrades, announced today, will improve two sections of the Bass Highway between Latrobe and Deloraine.
Along a 3.5-kilometre stretch from Christmas Hills Road to Deloraine, targeted safety improvements will deliver intersection upgrades, shoulder widening, a central safety barrier and a westbound heavy vehicle rest area.
Further north, along a 5.1-kilometre section between Latrobe and Sassafras, safety upgrades at Oppenheims Road and the Cutting Road/East Sassafras Road intersection will install central safety barriers, widen shoulders, improve signage and line marking, and consolidate direct access points to deter unsafe parking and crossings near the service station.
These upgrades linking towns, transport hubs and agricultural centres across Tasmania will improve safety and network reliability for everyone using the Bass Highway.
Development phase activities on both sections are already underway, with construction expected to begin from April 2027 and scheduled for completion by mid-2028.
Quotes attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:
"Upgrades are already underway on the West Tamar Highway through Stage 2 of the Tasmanian Roads - Northern Roads Package and I'm sure these improvements along the Bass Highway will be welcomed by the local communities along here.
"We're committed to working with the Tasmanian Government to make Northern Tasmania's roads safer and more efficient for locals, tourists and truckies."
Quotes attributable to Tasmanian Minister for Infrastructure Kerry Vincent:
"Collaboration on enhanced road safety with the Australian Government is a win-win for the entire state.
"It means our busiest highways, like the Bass, can safely support the increasing number of cars on our roads."
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Lyons Rebecca White:
"These works will increase road safety for Deloraine locals and Christmas Hills agricultural producers, reducing the risk of crashes and fatalities across one of Tasmania's busiest highways.
"I'm looking forward to seeing works progress as we continue to deliver reliable road connections across Tasmania."
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Braddon Anne Urquhart:
"These upgrades between Sassafras and Latrobe are a big win for the local community and will help ensure Tasmanians arrive at their destinations safely.
"The Bass Highway is a critical freight link for Braddon, and these works will help keep goods moving safely between Devonport, Latrobe and Launceston."
