Michael Ferguson,Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is delivering $5.7 billion in infrastructure investments over the next four years and that includes $2 billion in our roads and bridges program alone.
Across the State, major construction projects are continuing, and with the warmer weather approaching Tasmanians can expect to see more road works getting underway.
The South-East Traffic Solution is a hive of activity with the Midway Point intersection due for completion mid-next year and both the Airport Interchange and Sorell Bypass scheduled for completion later next year.
In November we expect to release the tender to duplicate the highway between the airport and the first causeway, subject to timely regulatory approvals.
Consultation is now open on the Great Eastern Drive upgrade south of Bicheno, as well as the first stage of the Sideling upgrades, with works currently scheduled to start in December.
The Bass Highway is a key target for investment and $280 million is earmarked to be spent on this key route all the way from Marrawah to Launceston.
Eight projects have been awarded between Wynyard and Marrawah and work has started this week on two of these – the junction with Gates Road and the realignment of the junction with Myalla Road. The Tollymore Road junction project will be tendered next month and construction will begin in January next year.
At Somerset, a tender to replace the Cam River Bridge will be released later this year with works to start early next year. Works on the realignment of the Bass Highway between Somerset and Wynyard and the creation of overtaking opportunities are due to commence in November.
Illawarra Road is a key connection between the Midland Highway and Bass Highway and tenders have opened for construction to start this season to widen the section between the Longford roundabout and the Bishopsbourne Road intersection.
I thank Tasmanian motorists for their ongoing patience while these road works are being completed and would urge drivers to allow a little bit more travel time, and to obey the reduced speed limits to ensure those working on these jobs go home safe at the end of the day.
Our record investment in the safety and efficiency of our State roads is well demonstrated and the forward work program shows that there is much more to look forward to.
