Two significant upgrades to key areas of the Bass Highway have been completed in Tasmania's north-west.
The works are funded under a $100 million investment in Bass Highway upgrades between Wynyard and Marrawah.
The Australian Government has committed $60 million under its Roads of Strategic Importance initiative to the corridor upgrades, with the Tasmanian Government committing the remaining $40 million.
One of the completed upgrades has improved safety by removing a curve on a section of the Bass Highway between Boat Harbour Siding Road at Boat Harbour and Broomhalls Road at Sisters Creek.
It has also delivered vital upgrades to the Bass Highway's junction with Morris Road, significantly improving safety for road users.
The other completed works are located on the Highway at Togari, between Pacey's Road/Park Road and Salmon River Road.
Upgrades for this stretch of the Highway included shoulder widening and the improvement of the road structure between Pacey's Road and Salmon River Road.
Additional safety upgrades have been prioritised, such as the replacement of the Montagu River Bridge.
Not only meeting the needs of modern freight transporters, the construction of the new Montagu River Bridge has provided invaluable training and employment opportunities for young tradespeople.
The exposure to on-site concrete-pouring methods for a large-scale project has allowed for greater skill development and enhanced job security in the pipeline of continuous work on Bass Highway upgrade projects.
Furture work under the Bass Highway 10-Year Action Plan near Crayfish Creek will include drainage improvements to Dunn Street, line marking, signage renewal and upgrades to the bus stop on the northern side of the Highway. This project is expected to be completed in July 2023.
The Bass Highway is a crucial corridor linking the major population centres, transport hubs and agricultural centres of Tasmania.
Upgrades along the Highway will allow for improved safety and the ability for motorists to be able to plan with greater consistency in travel times.
The Wynyard to Marrawah corridor upgrades are part of the broader $1.16 billion Tasmanian Roads Package, which comprises $920 million in Australian Government funding and $242.8 million from the Tasmanian Government.
