Planning begins on $100m Lyell Highway improvement works

Works to upgrade the Lyell Highway between Granton and New Norfolk in Tasmania will soon get underway as planning commences on the project. 

Works to identify what improvements will be carried out on the highway will now get underway. Proposed improvements will include adding lanes as well as widening and realigning parts of Lyell Highway to improve safety and travel times for all road users. 

The Australian and Tasmanian Governments have jointly committed $100 million towards the project, each contributing $80 million and $20 million respectively. 

“The Australian Government is committed to improving safety on Tasmanian roads and cutting travel times for commuters. 

“The Lyell Highway upgrade will boost safety and reliability of travel times along narrow sections of the highway. 

“This will greatly improve access to tourism hotspots and vital community facilities in New Norfolk and the Derwent Valley,” Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said. 

“I’m thrilled the Australian Government continues to invest heavily in Tasmania, helping to keep Tasmanians safe. 

“Road safety is a shared responsibility across all levels of government and across the community. 

“Upgrading the Lyell Highway will help reduce the risks of serious crashes and fatalities, bolstering road safety,” Federal Senator for Tasmania Catryna Bilyk said. 

This funding commitment will continue the progressive upgrade of the Lyell Highway, a main transport link between Hobart and Tasmania’s west coast. 

AECOM Australia has been contracted by the Tasmanian Government to prepare a strategy to improve the entire length of the Lyell Highway from Granton to Strahan. 

Planning works being carried out now will help inform how to best improve safety, capacity and the resilience of Lyell Highway. 

The upgrades to the Granton to New Norfolk section of the highway will be developed as part of this strategy. 

Recently, a $19 million upgrade to the highway between Queenstown and Strahan was completed. The project was also jointly funded by the Australian and Tasmanian Governments, with the former committing $15 million. 

“This new funding supports the Tasmanian Government’s record investment in road and bridge infrastructure and our ongoing commitment to keeping Tasmania moving under our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future. 

“About 10,500 vehicles travel between Granton and New Norfolk daily – an increase of 25 per cent over the past 10 years. 

“These improvements will couple with work currently underway as part of the Bridgewater Bridge project to provide a smoother, more seamless connection with the Brooker Highway,” Tasmanian Attorney-General and Member for Lyons Guy Barnett said. 

“This funding is all about improving motorists’ travelling experiences and making sure that people can enjoy everything Tasmania has to offer on safe roads. 

“Our investment in safer roads that are fit for purpose will go a long way in protecting all road users, including tourists, residents and community members,” Federal Member for Lyons Brian Mitchell said. 

Source: Premier of Tasmania – Latest News; Tasmanian Government – Transport Services; Pulse Tasmania; New Norfolk News