$100m Freight Capacity Upgrade Program in TAS to support 190 jobs
A $100 million program of works that will further improve freight access across Tasmania’s state road network is getting underway.
The Freight Capacity Upgrade Program will help increase freight capacity on critical and regional routes in Tasmania by delivering works that will strengthen or replace various bridges as well as improve sections of roads.
This program is jointly funded by the Australian and Tasmanian Governments, each contributing $80 million and $20 million respectively.
“The Australian Government is committed to improving road safety and freight efficiency, and this investment will ease congested roads while also creating opportunities for Tasmanians.
“Our funding, by helping continue this successful economic productivity initiative for the next five years, is key to ensuring Tasmania’s road network is as safe and as efficient as possible,” Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said.
The first stage of the program will include strengthening 11 bridges, replacing two bridges and delivering improvement works at 14 sites.
Once works are completed, about 224 kilometres will have been added to state roads that are approved for access by Higher Mass Limit vehicles.
Delivering these works will greatly assist freight operators in planning for the future and give them confidence to expand operations.
The program will also help extend the lifespan of the State’s critical and regional freight routes and improve access for heavy vehicles while providing benefits for Tasmania’s agriculture, resources and manufacturing industries.
In addition, the Freight Capacity Upgrade Program will help drive down long-term maintenance costs to the State.
“The Freight Capacity Upgrade Program not only enhances the productivity of Tasmanian freight, but also increases efficiency and road safety.
“This investment in Tasmania is great news for our community and will back local jobs while also supporting our freight industry,” Tasmanian Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson said.
Works are already underway on a handful of road strengthening projects and tenders have recently closed for the strengthening of the Pipers River Bridge on Bridport Road in the north-east and Ring River Bridge on the Murchison Highway on the west coast.
The program is estimated to create up to 190 jobs during the construction phase, with opportunities for Indigenous employment and supplier-use target of 4.5 per cent.
Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Tasmanian Government – Transport Services
Related Articles
$100m funding to deliver 12 bridge strengthening works across TAS
While strengthening works are being carried out to nine Tasmanian bridges, tenders have been opened for 12 more bridges this year as part of a $100 million upgrade program.
The projects to upgrade Tasmania’s freight route are jointly funded by the Australian and Tasmanian Governments under the five-year Freight Capacity Upgrade Program – each committing $80 million and $20 million respectively.
“The Australian Government is committed to improving road safety and freight efficiency across Tasmania.
“We know how important it is to deliver infrastructure that will ease congested roads while also creating opportunities for Tasmanians.
“That is why we will continue to partner with the Tasmanian Government to deliver the Freight Capacity Upgrade Program,” Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said.
By strengthening or replacing bridges and improving sections of roads, this program of works will help increase freight capacity of critical and regional freight routes across the State.
15 roads and bridge strengthening projects under the program have already been completed to date, including Pipers River Bridge as well as sections on the Bass, Midland, Lyell and Huon highways.
A $2.2 million contract has been awarded to Fulton Hogan to advance strengthening works on nine bridges.
“The program is supporting Tasmania’s economic growth by increasing freight efficiency, enabling increased safe operating loads, and making travel times more predictable for freight operators.
“It supports productivity by improving the roads freight vehicles travel on day to day.
“Repairing and strengthening these sections of road and bridges will also improve road safety for all road users and reduce maintenance costs,” TAS Infrastructure Minister Kerry Vincent said.
Six of the nine bridges are on the north west – at Argent River, Arthur River, Mole Creek, Leslie Station Creek, Don River and Pardoe Creek.
Meanwhile, the other bridges are at Wellards Creek, Norforlk Creek and Allans Creek on the Arthur Highway in the State’s south east.
Work at eight sites is now underway, with some nearing completion. Construction to strengthen the bridge at Leslie Station Creek, on the other hand, will begin this year.
As part of the Freight Capacity Upgrade Program, a total of 35 bridges are currently planned to be strengthened and three to be replaced.
“These much-needed bridge strengthening works will increase road and bridge network capability to increase freight productivity for critical state industries such as agriculture and manufacturing.
“The Australian Government will continue to invest in infrastructure projects across Tasmania to ensure efficient and safer travel for truck and heavy vehicle freight well into the future,” Senator for Tasmania Anne Urquhart said.
Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Premier of Tasmania – Latest News; Roads & Infrastructure Australia
Early works now underway on $1bn Inland Freight Route
An early works package is now underway to pave the way for major construction on the Inland Freight Route – also known as Queensland’s second Bruce Highway.
VIC Government invests $130m towards Freight-Passenger Rail Separation Project
The Victorian Government has allotted approximately $130 million towards the Freight-Passenger Rail Separation Project which will untangle the Ballarat rail network as well as provide better freight paths to the ports from the Murray Basin region.