Detailed concept designs for the long-awaited upgrades to the Tasman Highway between Hobart Airport and Sorell have been released.
The extensive overhaul will deliver dual lanes along the route through new causeways at Midway Point and Sorell, a second McGees Bridge, parking area and shared pathways.
The improvements aim to eliminate bottlenecks and create consistent traffic flow along the busy corridor.
The $349.5 million South East Traffic Solution project, jointly funded by federal and state governments, builds on recent interchanges at Midway Point and Hobart Airport and the Sorell Bypass.
Infrastructure Minister Kerry Vincent said the completed sections are already improving travel times and safety for the growing region.
“I encourage anyone with an interest … to check out the designs online or in-person or to head to one of our information sessions to find out more and have their say,” he said.
Sessions will be help on February 27 from 2pm to 6pm at the Midway Point Hall and on March 1 from 9am to 1pm at the South East Stadium, before feedback closes on March 11.
Construction is then expected to begin later in the year, dependent on receiving environmental approvals from the federal government.
Among the environmental hurdles is the presence of the live-bearing seastar, a protected species found only in the middle of the construction zone.
Previous scientific assessments have determined that the seastars can be relocated away from the causeways during construction and reintroduced once the upgrades are complete.
