$827 Million to Build Better Roads
25th May, 2017
Rene Hidding, Minister for Infrastructure
The Hodgman Liberal Government is Building Tasmania’s Future through investing in the transport infrastructure that will drive our economy forward.
In the 2017-18 Budget, the Liberal Government is investing $827.4 million to build better roads, right around the State.
Safer roads save lives, and fewer serious crashes mean fewer people are impacted by road trauma, which has an enormous toll on our community.
More efficient roads mean improved traffic flow and save time and money, making our industry more competitive and helping to create jobs – our number one priority.
In 2017-18 alone, more than $113 million will be invested in the Midland Highway 10-Year Action Plan, with construction to commence on the pivotal Perth Link Roads project. This will improve safety and efficiency by removing heavy vehicles from the centre of Perth as they travel to and from our Northern and North-Western ports. Work will begin this summer.
In the coming year, we will also start several new projects around the State. These include the $30 million Hobart Airport Roundabout and safety upgrades of intersections on the Bass Highway at Wynyard ($2.875 million).
Working with industry and local government stakeholders we have also developed the Freight Access Bridge Upgrades program that will facilitate the operation of High Productivity Freight Vehicles on key freight routes, connecting our ports, transport hubs and major industries. More than $19 million will be invested over four years.
Also funded in this Budget is the $7 million Mowbray Connector, a project that addresses one of Northern Tasmania’s major road safety and traffic hazards by fixing this busy and dangerous intersection with the East Tamar Highway.
Funds will continue to flow to a number of ongoing road upgrades, including:
- Huon Highway / Summerleas Road Intersection - $15.9 million this year
- Highland Lakes Road - $4.3 million
- Colebrook Main Road - $4.29 million
- Esk Main Road - $4.2 million
- Bridport Western Access Road - $2.9 million
- Murchison Highway - $2.8 million
- Bruny Island Main Road - $2.39 million
We will also invest $272 million over the forward estimates in vital ongoing maintenance upgrades and line-marking on roads across Tasmania.
In addition, Infrastructure Tasmania, along with key stakeholders, is currently developing Phase 2 of the Roads for Our Future State roads program. Funding for this will be provided from the unallocated capital in the Budget and will be reflected in next year’s Budget.