Budget to Bring Forward Works at Bonnet Hill to Improve Road Safety

13 May 2017

Rene Hidding, Minister for Infrastructure

The Hodgman Liberal Government is committed to Building Tasmania’s Future, and a great example of this can be seen in our strong investment in upgrading our roads to improve safety and transport efficiency for all road users.

Today, I am pleased to announce that in the coming 2017-18 Budget we will bring forward $1.385 million in funding to allow the completion of works on the Channel Highway at Bonnet Hill to provide edge widening for cyclists.

A popular cycling route near Hobart, this section of road has long been considered a risk for cyclists, which is why we have been progressively upgrading a number of sites over the past two years.

Now, we will undertake in 2017-18 works that were planned to be funded in the following year’s Budget.

This will ensure the entire project can be completed by June next year.

Over the past two years, more than 3.1 kilometres of sealed shoulders on the uphill section have been completed.

Work on the remaining sites identified will see another 1.4 kilometres of sealed shoulders added along the road.

Vulnerable road users, such as cyclists, who lack the protection offered by a motor vehicle, are a key focus of our road safety strategy, Towards Zero, which aims for zero deaths and serious injuries on our roads.

Improved infrastructure – such as wider, sealed road shoulders – make a real difference in lowering the risk to cyclists of a collision with a motor vehicle.

While the works are creating a safer cycling experience around Bonnet Hill, they are also improving traffic flow on the road and reducing crash risk for all road users.