Cycling between Launceston and Legana has become safer and easier with the completion of improvements along the West Tamar Highway.
The Tasmanian Government committed $1.5 million to improve cycling facilities and cycling safety on the approximately 10-kilometre section of the highway between Margaret Street, Launceston, and Legana Park Road, Legana.
The project is part of the government’s six-point plan to address high-priority projects along the West Tamar Highway.
The cycling improvements include improved surfaces, increased space on road shoulders, line marking adjustments, warning signs, head start boxes at some signal-controlled intersections and shoulder widening.
Strong support for improved cycling facilities in the area was identified during the West Tamar Corridor Study consultation, with feedback providing valuable insights into what improvements the community wanted.
These important upgrades have been welcomed by the Bicycle Network, with Alison Hetherington (Public Affairs Manager) stating:
"Wider, sealed shoulders help confident road cyclists to feel more comfortable on the highway and are also essential for the safety of drivers if they drift out of their lane.
"Tasmania has an active road cycling community and providing more space for them on the road and at intersections creates better conditions for all road users.
"Congratulations to all those cyclists who lobbied for so many years to improve the highway."
The improved cycling facilities will promote active transport, which provides health and environmental benefits and helps to reduce congestion by providing an alternative to car use.
Among the other projects of the six-point plan, resealing and widening of the highway north of the Batman Highway intersection to Lightwood Hills Road has been completed, improvements to a section between Rosevears Drive and Gravelly Beach Road are underway and work has started on two more projects this month.
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