Road safety upgrades set to ramp up across northern Tasmania
Works to upgrade the Frankford Road and Chapel Road junction in Harford, Tasmania will commence this week.
This project that will help improve safety and reduce the risk of crashes at the junction is part of the recent $27.5 million joint investment by the Australian and Tasmanian Governments, delivered under the national Road Safety Program.
The existing junction will be transformed into a standard T-junction and road widening works will be carried out to allow road users to pass vehicles turning right from Chapel Road onto Frankford Road. This project is expected to be completed in May 2025.
“Nothing is more important that ensuring people who travel on Australia’s regional road network get home safely each time they travel.
“That’s why we’re backing this $27.5 million investment to make the Frankford Road and Chapel Road junction safer for locals and visitors to this part of Tassie.
“Through projects such as this one, we’re working with the Tasmanian Government to help keep everyone safe on the state’s roads,” Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development Anthony Chisholm said.
Safety upgrades will also be delivered to the junction of Pipers River Road and Waddles Road in Karoola through the same program., with the works anticipated to be completed in early March 2025.
Temporary traffic changes will be in place during the Frankford Road and Chapel Road junction upgrade, including reduced speed limits and occasional lane closures during the 7am to 6pm working hours.
Road users are asked to allow 15 minutes extra travel time and to follow the directions of traffic controllers and signs.
“The Australian Government is committed to improving road safety and significantly reducing the number of road deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
“While our government continues to prioritise road safety, I encourage all drivers to do their bit by driving to the conditions, slowing down, putting on a seatbelt, taking a break when you’re tired, and avoiding distractions,” Senator for Tasmania Anne Urquhart said.
“The upcoming junction upgrades demonstrate our commitment to improving safety for road users and reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
“We also look forward to starting work on the remaining junction upgrades included under the program, such as the Pipers River Road and Waddles Road junction in Karoola, which we expect to start in March this year.
“Feedback from local communities and other key stakeholders has been a key focus in identifying the improvements for each junction, and we’ve balanced that with ensuring the best road safety outcomes are achieved,” TAS Minister for Infrastructure Kerry Vincent said.
Source: Assistant Minister for Regional Development; Premier of Tasmania – Latest News; Tasmanian Government – Transport Services (1, 2)
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$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
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A $100 million program of works that will further improve freight access across Tasmania’s state road network is getting underway.
Works commence to upgrade TAS key freight route Zeehan Highway
The Zeehan Highway – one of Tasmania’s key freight routes on the west coast – is getting a major upgrade, with Shaw Contracting securing the $10.6 million works contract.