Major Bass Highway realignment completed

Another major section of the Bass Highway has been upgraded, providing a safer and more efficient road between Somerset and Wynyard.

The $50 million project is part of the $1.16 billion Tasmanian Roads Package and Bass Highway 10 Year Action Plan, with the Australian Government contributing $40 million and the Tasmanian Government $10 million.

Tasmanian construction company Hazell Bros Group designed and delivered the realignment of 3.6 kilometres of the highway from just west of Cape View Nursery to the Old Bass Highway intersection at Doctors Rocks.

The upgrades have made this section of the highway safer with a number of sharp bends removed.

New overtaking lanes in each direction are designed to improve traffic flow and boost safety, particularly as the highway is a key corridor for heavy vehicles to and from Circular Head, the West Coast and Port of Burnie.

A central median flexible safety barrier has also been constructed, designed to prevent head-on collisions and reduce the number of crashes resulting in fatalities and serious injuries.

The realignment is one of many upgrades planned, underway or completed on the Bass Highway between Cooee and Marrawah. These projects include making junctions safer, road widening and construction of more overtaking lanes.

The replacement of the Cam River Bridge at Somerset is underway, while a corridor strategy has been developed for the section of the highway between Launceston and Devonport, with a list of potential safety upgrades currently now prioritised following community feedback in 2022.

A planning study is also underway for improvements to the Bass Highway between Cooee and Wynyard.

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

“The Australian Government is dedicated to delivering world-class road upgrades like these to target and remediate contributors to road accidents.

“Delivering this type of project is vital as we work to achieve Vision Zero – no deaths on our roads by 2050.”

Quotes attributable to Tasmanian Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson:

“The completion of these works marks a key step in our plan to upgrade the Bass Highway, which is a key link across major population centres, transport hubs and agricultural regions across the north and northwest of Tasmania.

“I’m pleased to be working with the Australian Government to deliver this long-term strategy to improve safety for all roads users.”

Quotes attributable to Senator for Tasmania Anne Urquhart:

“This project will also boost productivity along this key freight corridor, keeping truckies and our economy moving during these challenging global times.

“Upgrading the Bass Highway is all about cementing opportunities for future growth across Tasmania’s north and north west.”