The Hodgman Liberal Government is committed to ensuring Tasmania’s future infrastructure needs are met, and we will continue to invest strategically in important projects that create jobs and benefit the community.
I am pleased to advise the Tasmanian and Commonwealth Government’s joint $500 million, 10 year action plan to transform the Midland Highway is well underway, which will result in improved safety for all users of the Highway and provide the infrastructure needed to support Tasmania’s growing economy.
Importantly, these projects are also providing jobs for Tasmanians, with the Civil Contractors Federation estimating that 600 people are currently working on the projects, with more to come as the road construction season advances.
The Midland Highway project is the largest single investment in the Highway’s history, and will raise the standard of this strategic highway to a minimum Three-Star AusRAP rating.
Projects commenced in 2015-16 include:
Additionally, tenders for the upgrade between Symmons Plains and South of Perth will be advertised later this month, which will result in additional overtaking lanes, junction upgrades, alignment improvements, safety barrier and turning facilities.
Further projects for the coming years are being developed now with a number of multiple year projects to go to tender in 2017.
Thanks to our strong budget management since coming to Government, the Hodgman Liberal Government is now able to reinvest the dividends into essential job-creating infrastructure improvements such as this.