Funding road maintenance for the Midland Highway remains a strong State Government priority in 2012/13.

 

The Infrastructure Minister, David O'Byrne, said the Government recognises the importance of Tasmania's main highway remaining safe and efficient.

 

"In December 2010, the Government signed a partnership agreement with seven Councils, confirming a shared vision and set of priorities for the Midland Highway," Mr O'Byrne said.

 

"Ongoing maintenance and upgrades were a key part of that plan, and the State Government is continuing to support that agenda with key funding in tight budget circumstances," he said.

 

A number of pavement rehabilitation and resurfacing works have been identified for the highway for 2012/13 and 2013/14, including:

 

• North of Melton Mowbray (1km);
• North of Spring Hill (2kms);
• and, north of Lovely Banks Road (1km).

 

In 2012/13 to 2013/14, parts of a 20km stretch between Pontville and Campbell Town have also been identified for pavement rehabilitation works.

 

That's on top of significant work already completed or underway at 11 sites totalling 17 kilometres of roadway between Pontville and Campbell Town (including the Mona Vale Junction project), which was recently completed.

 

Tasmania will receive $7.178 million from the Australian Government in 2012/13, under the Nation Building Program Agreement for road maintenance on the National Network.

 

The National Network in Tasmania includes the Midland, Bass, Brooker, East Tamar and Tasman highways.

 

Under the agreement, both State and Australian governments are required to contribute to the ongoing costs of maintaining the National Network.

 

The State Government has also awarded new road maintenance contracts worth more than $50 million, which started on July 1^st 2011, and will be carried forward into 2012/13.

 

The contracts were tendered through a competitive bidding process in the south and north-east, and run for three years.

 

A procurement process has started to award a replacement road maintenance contract in the north-west, starting in July next year.