The State and Federal Governments are working together to deliver better and safer roads across Tasmania.
Plans for a $19 million program of safety upgrades to the Lyell Highway between Queenstown and Strahan will be released for community feedback tomorrow.
The project involves upgrading nearly 40 kilometres of the highway to improve driver safety. Improvements will include slow vehicle stopping bays, passing lanes, and where possible, improved road alignment by widening highway curves and strengthening the road base.
This upgrade is jointly funded by the Australian and Tasmanian Governments, with the Australian Government committing $15 million under its Roads of Strategic Importance initiative and the Tasmanian Government providing a further $3.75 million.
The Lyell Highway is the most direct travel route between Strahan and Queenstown and beyond to Hobart. As well as carrying freight and local traffic, it is also an important tourist route and forms part of Tasmania’s Western Wilds journey.
Federal Liberal Member for Braddon, Gavin Pearce, said, “the West Coast has always been crucial to the state’s economic prosperity and with current investments such as the Mt Owen MBT project nearing completion, this is only set to increase. That’s why investment in road infrastructure is so important.
"The upgrade will ensure ongoing safety for all road users and efficient transportation of the region’s iconic province to market,” Mr Pearce said.
The plans can be viewed until Friday, 23 July 2021 at Derwent Bridge Wilderness Hotel; Derwent Bridge Tourist Information Board; West Coast Council at Queenstown and Strahan; West Coast Visitor Information Centre; Queenstown Library; Strahan Library; and Zeehan Library.
Suggestion boxes for feedback will be available at the Derwent Bridge Wilderness Hotel, the West Coast Council Office in Queenstown, West Coast Visitor Information Centre in Strahan and the Zeehan Library. For further information or to view the plans online visit the Transport website: www.transport.tas.gov.au
Tenders are currently being invited to deliver the project, and construction is expected to start later in 2021.
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