The Liberal Party has promised to invest over $220 million in upgrading roads across Tasmania if re-elected.
According to Leader Jeremy Rockliff, the state’s increasing population, “strong economy and prudent budget” means key roads and bridges that have been in need of upgrades can now receive them.
“We’ve come a long way over the past 10 years, investing $2.2 billion to improve our roads, but we know there’s more to do,” he said.
“Tasmania has gone through a significant period of population and economic growth over the past decade, which has put pressure on our roads and bridges infrastructure.”
The proposed projects include a $20 million plan to duplicate the Lyell Highway from the Bridgewater Bridge to New Norfolk, a $20 million extension of the Southern Outlet transit lane to Kingston and $20 million earmarked for upgrades to the congested Mornington Roundabout.
$1 million has been allocated to explore a potential new interchange between the Domain Highway and Brooker Highway and new freight route options between Brighton and Cambridge are also under consideration.
The party has designated $6 million for upgrading Wielangta Road, involving the replacement of the Griffiths Rivulet and Seventeen Acre Creek Bridges and $20 million for interchange upgrades and lane duplication improvements between the Midland Highway intersection at Bridgewater and the eastern end of the Bowen Bridge.
To alleviate traffic congestion, $15 million will be invested in additional traffic lanes and extended turning lanes on both sides of the Brooker Highway and $1 million will be contributed towards the remediation of the Sorell Rivulet Bridge in Sorell.
Full list of Southern roading projects proposed by the Liberals
- $20 million duplication of the Lyell Highway between Granton and New Norfolk
- Assessing new freight route options between Brighton and Cambridge to reduce pressure on the Tasman Highway and East Derwent Highway
- $20 million extension of the Southern Outlet transit lane from Tolmans Hill to Kingston, providing priority and emergency lanes
- $1 million to investigate a new Domain Highway/Brooker Highway interchange, a known traffic congestion choke point and crash hot spot
- $6 million to upgrade Wielangta Road, replacing the Griffiths Rivulet and Seventeen Acre Creek Bridges
- $20 million upgrades between the Midland Highway intersection at Bridgewater, to the eastern end of the Bowen Bridge, including interchange improvements and duplication of lanes
- $15 million towards additional traffic lanes and the extension of turning lanes in both directions on the Brooker Highway to alleviate traffic congestion
- $1 million contribution towards remediation of the Sorell Rivulet Bridge in Sorell
- $20 million to upgrade the Mornington Roundabout
Full list of Northern roading projects proposed by the Liberals
- $10 million for upgrades to the Bass Highway between Deloraine and Devonport, including the Christmas Hills intersection, the Moriarty Road intersection and additional vehicle rest areas and overtaking lanes
- $20 million duplication of the Bass Highway between Launceston and Deloraine, creating a consistent four lane link
- Investigate a bypass at Elizabeth Town
- $40 million for junction improvements, alignment changes and overtaking lanes, west of Wynyard
- $10 million towards improvements on the Murchison and Zeehan highways including overtaking lanes, heavy vehicle pull-over areas, shoulder-sealing and curve-widening
- $10 million towards safety and efficiency improvements to the Ridgley Highway, including overtaking lanes in both directions north and south of Hampshire, a south-bound overtaking opportunity at Hellyer River and upgrading the intersection with the Murchison Highway
- Invest in a second crossing of the Cam River subject to a successful feasibility study and Australian Government funding commitment
