Forest Road intersection upgrades starting

Work on the next set of targeted upgrades to the West Tamar Highway is scheduled to begin next week in Launceston.

The Forest Road Intersection Upgrades project will improve safety and reduce delays at this busy Trevallyn intersection.

The project includes new traffic and pedestrian signals, modifications to the existing traffic islands and median, a left-turn lane, a pedestrian refuge, a bicycle lane and shared path connections.

The project forms part of the Australian and Tasmanian Governments’ $22.5 million commitment to targeted upgrades along the West Tamar Highway between Exeter and Launceston.

Forest Road south is a local access road connecting nearby residential areas with the highway.

Work on the intersection will be carried out in stages, with initial site preparations starting on site from Monday, 17 August 2026, followed by construction starting on 24 August 2026.

From early September to late October 2026, higher impact work will begin at the intersection and on the lanes of the West Tamar Highway heading towards Riverside, with some traffic impacts and minor detours in place.

More information and updates regarding traffic impacts is available on the project webpage and Building Tasmania’s interactive Roadworks Map online.

The project is due to be completed by late October 2026.

For further information visit here.

Quotes attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:

“This next set of upgrades on the West Tamar Highway reflects our commitment to funding road projects which improve safety, productivity and efficiency for local communities.

“Our investment in the West Tamar Highway, partnering with the Tasmanian Government, is about future-proofing Launceston’s transport network to support long term economic and population growth."

Quotes attributable to Tasmanian Infrastructure and Transport Minister Kerry Vincent:

“We are very pleased to begin the next stage of targeted upgrades to the West Tamar Highway, a key arterial route connecting Launceston with Riverside, Legana, and communities through the West Tamar region,” Minister Vincent said.

“We recently completed the duplication of the West Tamar Highway in Legana, a project that has provided a smoother, more efficient road for drivers and heavy vehicle operators, and more pedestrian-friendly options for those walking and riding.

“As with the Legana project, these improvements to the Forest Road Intersection will give the community a safer, more efficient section of road – which means less time sitting in traffic for road users, and more infrastructure to support pedestrians, cyclists, and those catching public transport.”