The 2024-25 Budget drives the delivery of the 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, ensuring Tasmanians get home to their loved ones safely and sooner.

The Budget secures record investments in the things Tasmanians care about, including a $1.9 billion investment in the state’s roads and bridges over the next four years – supporting jobs and boosting the economy.

Premier and Minister for Infrastructure, Jeremy Rockliff, said with the completion of two major projects nearing completion - the $786 million Bridgewater Bridge and the $605 million Midland Highway Action Plan – the Government had its eyes on what’s next.

“The 2024-25 Budget secures investment in projects across every region of our state, designed to keep Tasmanians safe on our roads, and get them home sooner to their loved ones,” the Premier said.

The Government’s capital funding for Tasmanian roads and bridges over the next four years includes:

• completion of the Bridgewater Bridge with all four lanes open to traffic by mid-2025;
• completion of the Midland Highway Action Plan with just 10 kilometres of upgrades remaining north of Campbell Town;
• transforming the Tasman Highway between Hobart and Sorell into a consistent four-lane connection, including the duplication of the Midway Point and Sorell Causeways, subject to Commonwealth environmental approvals; and
• major ongoing investments in the Bass Highway between Launceston and Marrawah, the East and West Tamar Highways and the Tasman Highway.

The 2024-25 Budget also delivers on key election commitments, including:

• $20 million to upgrade the Lyell Highway between Granton and New Norfolk, which has now leveraged $80 million in Australian Government funding; and
• $3 million for the Mountain River Road Intersection upgrade and $7 million for the remainder of the Huon Highway Corridor, matched by $40 million in Australian Government funding.

Premier Rockliff said that while the Tasmanian Government had committed to many major road and bridge upgrades that benefit all Tasmanians, there are several projects for which the Government has sought support from the Australian Government towards the total project costs.

These include:

• $680 million for a new Tamar Bridge connecting Newnham and Riverside in Launceston;
• $100 million to extend the fifth lane of Hobart’s Southern Outlet to Kingston;
• $39 million in funding for the Murchison, Zeehan and Ridgley Highways on the West Coast;
• $30 million in upgrades to Wielangta Road in the lower South -East;
• $100 million in upgrades to the East Derwent Highway; and
• $75 million in upgrades to the Brooker Highway through Hobart’s northern suburbs.

“We’ll keep advocating for funding for these projects and fighting for our state’s fair share so that we can keep Tasmania safe, healthy and strong,” the Premier said.

“Nearly $557 million in upgrades to the state’s roads and bridges are being delivered this financial year, building on the Government’s strong reputation in rebuilding Tasmania’s roads and bridges, making them safe and efficient.

“This includes one of the largest transport infrastructure projects in Tasmania’s history – the Bridgewater Bridge – as well as the greatest single investment in our key north-south link – the Midland Highway – to bring it to a 3-star AusRAP rating across its length.

“Tasmanians can look forward to further transformational projects such as the South-East Traffic Solution and South Arm Highway in the South, major investments in the Bass Highway in the North-West and upgrades to the East and West Tamar Highways in the North.’’

“One of the key uplifts in roads is on maintenance, with more than $432 million committed over the next four years.”

The 2024-25 Budget secures economic growth alongside sensible debt management.