More than $200m investment to deliver better TAS road infrastructure

The Australian Government continues to build the nation’s future as it invests almost $213 million to upgrade critical highways as well as deliver active transport routes across Tasmania’s south east. 

The significant funding includes $204 million to improve Arthur Highway and widen Sorell Rivulet Bridge. 

Both the highway and the bridge form part of the main access route between Port Arthur, Sorell and Hobart, which provides a critical corridor for residents and tourists between some of Tasmania’s most popular and populous destinations. 

Not only will this investment help ease congestion for the growing community, but it will also benefit agricultural and water supply businesses, tourists and local residents. 

This funding will deliver safety upgrades including overtaking lanes, intersection improvements, and road modifications – such as shoulder widening and changes to lane configuration – to enhance traffic flow. The investment is also anticipated to include works to enable active and public transport, better signage, and tourism pullover areas. 

“The Albanese Govenrment is investing in the transport projects that matter most to Tasmanians, upgrading the state’s critical highways including the Bass, Tasman, Arthur, Esk and Brooker highways. 

“we’re making Tasmania’s roads safer, stronger and more efficient which means convenient commuters and faster freight,” Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said. 

Meanwhile, $4 million will be committed towards planning for critical safety and efficiency improvements on Brooker Highway. This will focus on identifying works required to improve safety, capacity, and resilience as well as support active travel on one of Hobart’s major arterial roads. 

Further planning for public transport on the Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor will also be carried out with an additional $2 million funding. This is part of the Australian Government’s now $40.5 million investment in enhancing public transport infrastructure across Hobart. 

The Albanese Government will also be delivering walking and cycling paths alongside roads and public transport to better connect communities. 

Under the Active Transport Fund, about $3 million will be invested towards two new projects across Tasmania’s south east to build new or upgrade existing bicycle and walking paths, including: 

• More than $2 million for the Tasman Council for a four-kilometre multi-use walking track connecting the towns of Nubeena and White Beach, south-east of Hobart 

• Almost $500,000 for Brighton Council to design and build a new shared path connecting to the existing path along the East Derwent Highway and to the new Bridgewater Bridge. This project also includes an extension of the path along Glenstone Road in Brighton, linking it to the pathway network within the Brighton township 

$15.6 million is also being brought forward for the Tasmanian Freight Rail Revitalisation – Tranche 4 – Network project, which has a total of $81.6 million funding commitment from the Australian Government. This investment will allow the ongoing delivery of improved network performance and assurance of supply chains for the State’s largest freight producers. 

The Australian Government is committed to making the nation’s cities and regions even better places to live in by building social infrastructure, connecting places and designing healthier, more liveable towns. 

The new Active Transport Fund is one part of this commitment, aiming to provide safe and accessible transport options that would mean more people have the chance to walk, cycle or push pram to work, school and anywhere else. 

“These projects add to the Albanese Labor Government’s infrastructure investment throughout regional Tasmania. 

“In Lyons for example, the Albanese Government is also investing $10 million towards improving the resilience of Esk Main Road at St Marys Pass. 

“It is projects like these that are making our roads safer and improving driver experience,” Federal Member for Lyons Brian Mitchell said. 

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Roads & Infrastructure Australia; Infrastructure Magazine; Tasmanian Country