$43 million boost to north Tassie roads

The Albanese Labor Government is building Tasmania’s future, driving economic growth and improving freight efficiency by investing over $43 million in roads in the north east of the state.  

We’re investing $20 million to progress planning and design work for the New Tamar Crossing – a new bridge over the Kanamaluka/River Tamar – in partnership with the Tasmanian Government.

Planning for the New Tamar Crossing is expected to start this year, with an estimated completion date to be determined in consultation with the Tasmanian Government.  

Further south, $10 million will go towards improving the resilience of Esk Main Road at St Marys Pass, ensuring it remains open and safe during severe weather events. 

The Esk Highway is the main access road between the Midland Highway and the east coast. This investment will reduce the economic cost of closures and emergency repairs, safeguarding the route for years to come.  

We’ve also committed an additional funding to ensure the delivery of critical projects across the north, including: 

  • An additional $4 million for further safety improvements to Bridport Road, including pavement rehabilitation, road widening and improvements to junctions, to improve freight productivity and access to freight gateways. This brings the total Commonwealth investment in the road to $20 million; 
  • An additional $4 million for the Murchison Highway corridor such as overtaking lanes, shoulder sealing and curve-widening works, taking the total Commonwealth investment to $39 million;
  • An additional $3.8 million to support further planning and concept design work for the Devonport to Cradle Mountain corridor, taking the total Commonwealth funding for the project to $6.3 million. 

Along with roads, we’re better connecting communities by investing in walking and cycling paths. 

Almost $1.3 million will be funded under the Active Transport Fund in two new projects to build new or upgrade existing bicycle and walking paths in the north east of the state:

  • More than $670,000 for Launceston City Council to build a new path connecting Youngtown Primary School with existing footpaths in the Oakden Park area and the Kate Reed Reserve;
  • $610,000 for Meander Valley Council to design and build approximately 2.1 kilometres of new footpath and cycleways along Panorama Road between Bayview Drive and Neptune Drive, Blackstone Heights.

We have also brought forward $15.6 million of funding for the Tasmanian Freight Rail Revitalisation – Tranche 4 – Network project, which has a total Australian Government commitment of $81.6 million. This will allow the ongoing delivery of improved network performance and assurance of supply chains for Tasmania’s largest freight producers

The Albanese Government is making our cities and regions even better places to live, building social infrastructure, connecting place and designing healthier, more liveable towns. 

Our new Active Transport Fund is one part of this, providing safe and accessible transport options that mean more people have the chance to walk, cycle or push a pram to work, school and anywhere else. 

More information on the Active Transport Fund is available at Active Transport Fund | Infrastructure Investment Program. 

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

“Getting vital planning done for the New Tamar Crossing will support Launceston’s growing population by allowing them to move faster and more safely across the region. 

“The project will enhance the resilience of the road network by providing increased flood immunity while also better connecting people between where they live and work.”  

Quotes attributable to Senator for Tasmania Helen Polley: 

“Road upgrades are essential to road user safety ensuring our community remains safe on our roads. In particular, this funding will ensure safer roads for people working in our transport industry and ease the daily commute.”  

“The community has championed the new Tamar Crossing for some time and this new bridge will now link the West Tamar and East Tamar to benefit locals and tourists.”  

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Lyons Brian Mitchell:

“These projects add to the Albanese Labor Government’s infrastructure investments throughout regional Tasmania. 

“In Lyons for example, the Albanese Government is also investing $10 million towards improving the resilience of Esk Main Road at St Marys Pass.

“It is projects like these that are making our roads safer and improving driver experiences.”