The Australian Government is investing more than $219 million through the 2024-25 Federal Budget towards a roads package for Tasmania.
The significant funding will include $124 million for new projects, including:
Upgrading the Lyell Highway will improve safety and reliability of travel times along narrow sections of the highway and provide better access to tourism spots and vital community facilities in New Norfolk and the Derwent Valley.
“Last year Tasmania lost more than 30 people on the roads, with more than 300 critically injured. That’s not good enough.
“This investment in our Budget is about getting Tasmania moving safely – to allow people to spend less time on the road and more time with their loved ones,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
“This roads package will increase road safety and reduce the risks of serious crashes and fatalities, helping to keep Tasmanians safe.
“Road safety is a shared responsibility across all levels of government, and across the community,” Senator for Tasmania Carol Brown said.
“Upgrading roads to popular tourism destinations will keep our tourists safe and also residents and community members safe while travelling our beautiful state of Tasmania,” Senator for Tasmania Anne Urquhart said.
“This funding is all about improving motorists travelling experiences. This enables motorists everything Tasmania has to offer on safe and better roads,” Member for Lyons Brian Mitchell said.
$95 million is also committed to ensure existing projects are delivered, including:
The Mornington Roundabout is a known pinch point that causes congestion and safety concerns, and the new investment will ensure the necessary upgrades will be delivered to improve driveability and traffic flow in this section of road.
“These road upgrades and improvements to rural and regional roads and tourism corridors are crucial to the safety of Tasmanians and tourists.
“The Albanese Government is investing in road safety to help protect all road users. Too many Tasmanians have lost their life on Tasmanian roads and these upgrades will go a long way to ensuring safer roads that are fit for purpose,” Senator for Tasmania Helen Polley said.
“Motorists in greater Hobart have been grappling with traffic congestion for some time now.
“With the Mornington Roundabout and Kingston Bypass upgrades, the Albanese Government is taking action to ease some of these bottlenecks that are causing frustration for so many motorists,” Senator for Tasmania Catryna Bilyk said.
Planning for works on key Tasmanian corridors will pave the way for a pipeline of future investments that are properly scoped, designed and costed.
The new funding builds on the existing more than $2 billion investment that will deliver 35 road and rail projects in the State.
The Federal and Tasmanian Governments are working closely together on priority projects that will bring significant benefits to the community.
“We are working for all Australians to deliver significant infrastructure that connects communities, stimulates jobs and builds the future of our nation.
“I thank the Tasmanian Government for working closely with us to ensure the delivery of these projects,” Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said.
“This is another example of the Albanese Labor Government delivering key infrastructure projects for Tasmania.
“I welcome the additional funding for vital infrastructure projects in my electorate of Franklin, including for the Mornington Roundabout and the Algona Road Upgrade – these projects have long been a concern for people in our local community.
“I look forward to continuing to work with the Tasmanian Government to ensure we can implement the possible solutions for our community,” Member for Franklin Julie Collins said.
Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport; Big Rigs