The Tasmanian Liberal Government will immediately commence design work on a $10 million overpass to address safety concerns at the Leith intersections on the Bass Highway.
The Government is taking action to address improve this intersection which we understand has been a concern for the local community for some time. We have been listening to the community and are working with them and the Central Coast Council, to develop the best solution possible to improve safety for all road users.
It was clear that there was overwhelming support for an overpass and additional interim measures to improve safety at this intersection.
An overpass will be built that connects the northern and southern parts of Leith road, removing the need to turn right on and off the highway. The overpass will take around two years to build.
As an interim measure to improve safety, electronic warning signage will be installed as soon as possible for vehicles accessing the intersections.
In addition, the Government will work with local schools, associations, families, and bus operators to revise the routes and sections for the busses currently negotiating the intersections, meaning there should no longer be a requirement for school busses to cross the highway at the intersections.
We will also work with the Council to deliver a shared cycleway across the river that links to the existing roads and underpass and this will remove the need for cyclists to cross the bass highway.
The Tasmanian Liberal Government has an ambitious target of zero fatalities on our roads by 2050 and upgrades such as these will form a key component in achieving this target.