Michael Ferguson,Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
Duplication of the West Tamar Highway between Freshwater Point Road and Legana Park Road will be prioritised under the Tasmanian Government's upgrades to the West Tamar Highway Corridor Improvement Plan.
The upgrades, including an upgrade to the Bridgenorth Road intersection, are now funded under the $100 million commitment for upgrades to the East and West Tamar Highways, with the Australian Government committing $16 million and Tasmanian Government $84 million.
The Improvement Plan was completed and publicly released in February this year. It identified priority improvements that address increased traffic due to the residential growth around Legana and will guide investment for this section of the Highway over the next 20 years.
The highest priority under the plan is the duplication and shoulder widening of the West Tamar Highway between Freshwater Point Road and Legana Park Drive. The plan also prioritises junction upgrades, including Bridgenorth Road, additional pedestrian crossing facilities and flexible safety barriers.
The upgrades will also be designed to cater for the planned new school at Legana.
As a result of our work, upgrade design options are now being developed and will be released for public comment later this calendar year.
Other projects that will be further considered under the $100m funding commitment include: installation of traffic signals at Forest Road (south) intersection, including a new signalised pedestrian crossing, a review of traffic signal timing between Legana and Launceston, and improved pedestrian crossings at the Ecclestone Road/Windsor Drive intersection. Bus routes for Legana will also be reviewed.
The Improvement Plan supports our Launceston and Tamar Valley Traffic Vision, which aims to address congestion and improve the safety and travel time reliability of the Launceston and Tamar Valley road network.
The Improvement Plan and a consultation summary report can be viewed on the Transport website at: www.transport.tas.gov.au/projectsplanning/road_projects/northeastroadprojects/westtamarhighwaycorridorimprovementplan
