TAS Budget invests $1.6bn to deliver roads & bridges across the state

The Tasmanian Government has announced its 2025-26 State Budget, highlighting almost $1.6 billion to deliver roads and bridges across the State over the next four years. 

Not only will this Budget deliver new and improved infrastructure, it will also support jobs and provide a significant boost to the economy. 

The recent Budget will build a better Tasmania: now and for the future. It will ensure that Tasmanians can get home to their loved ones sooner and safer. 

“This Government is building a better Tasmania now and for the future. 

“This weekend all Tasmanians can be rightly proud with the opening of our largest transport infrastructure ever, the Bridgewater Bridge. 

“This is intergenerational infrastructure. 

“And this Budget will continue to invest heavily in road infrastructure, with $1.6 billion across the budget and forward estimates,” Treasurer Guy Barnett said in his Budget speech. 

Approximately $400 million will be invested over the next 12 months to progress projects on key freight routes and reduce travel times. 

This funding includes $34 million – jointly funded by the Australian Government – for upgrades to the Ridgley Highway, which is an important freight route that links the north west and west coast and is a corridor used by the mining, forestry and tourism industries. 

“With the state’s largest transport infrastructure project – the New Bridgewater Bridge – and the 10-year Midland Highway Action Plan nearing completion, the Tasmanian Government has set its sights on what’s next,” Minister for Infrastructure Kerry Vincent said. 

Improvements earmarked to be delivered under this Budget include: 

• The start of a major multi-year program of improvements to the Arthur Highway 

• Ongoing major investment in the Bass Highway between Launceston and Devonport 

• Progressing plans for the Devonport to Cradle Mountain Corridor 

• Upgrades to the East and West Tamar Highways 

• Ongoing upgrades to Illawarra Road 

• Safety and efficiency improvements to the Ridgley, Murchison and Zeehan Highways 

• Construction of the Northern Access Road, which will directly connect the Port of Hobart to our State’s highway network and enable further activation of the broader Macquarie Point precinct 

• Further investment in the South East Traffic Solution between Hobart and Sorell, including the duplication of Midway Point and Sorell causeways and the Tasman Highway 

The Budget reconfirms the Tasmanian Government’s commitment to delivering major road and bridge upgrades that would benefit all Tasmanians, however, acknowledges that several projects are awaiting Australian Government funding support – including the Tamar River Bridge, Brooker Highway upgrades and Wielangta Road upgrades. 

“We will continue to advocate to the Federal Government for co-investment in these projects, ensuring Tasmania receives its fair share,” Minister Vincent said. 

This year’s Budget also builds on the Government’s 25 per cent uplift to the road maintenance investment that ensures the quality of Tasmania’s existing roads are maintained. 

“The 2025-26 Budget continues to deliver our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future. It continues to ensure we have a strong economy by backing business and economic growth,” Minister Vincent added. 

Source: Premier of Tasmania – Latest News; Premier of Tasmania – Treasurer’s Budget Speech