Under our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, a re-elected majority Liberal Government will:
- Invest $10 million towards $50 million in Bass Highway upgrades, between Deloraine and Devonport.
- Invest $20 million towards a consistent four-lane link on the Bass Highway between Launceston and Deloraine.
- Invest $40 million for the Bass Highway west of Wynyard.
- Make improvements to our West Coast Highways.
- Investigate the feasibility of a second crossing of the Cam River.
An important part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's future is to get Tasmanians home to their loved ones safer and sooner by building better roads across the State.
Over the past decade under a Liberal Government, Tasmania's population and strong economy means increased capacity improvements to our roads and bridges in the North-West and West Coasts, including key freight corridors along the Bass Highway, Lyell Highway, Murchison Highway, Ridgley Highway and Zeehan Highway.
The communities of the North-West and West Coasts deserve safe, modern and efficient highways to connect with employment, education, families and communities
A re-elected Liberal majority Government will commit significant new funding to roads and bridges in the north-west and west of the State.
The new works include:
- $10 million towards a $50 million jointly-funded package of targeted upgrades to the Bass Highway between Deloraine and Devonport. Projects will include an upgrade of the Christmas Hills intersection, additional heavy vehicle rest areas, resurfacing of the Highway at Paramatta Creek, extending the existing overtaking lane and adding a new northbound overtaking lane at Long Hill Road, construction of a new northbound overtaking lane and safety barrier at Sassafras, improvements to the Moriarty Road intersection with the Highway, and an investigation into a bypass of Elizabeth Town.
- $20 million towards the duplication of the Bass Highway into a consistent four-lane link between Launceston and Deloraine.
- $40 million in an ongoing $100 million program of works on the Bass Highway, west of Wynyard including junction improvements, alignment changes and overtaking lanes. In total, there will be four new overtaking lanes, 10 sections of road to be realigned, with potential for realigning an additional five sections and up to 66 junction upgrades with 15 already completed.
- $10 million towards improvements on the Murchison and Zeehan Highways including overtaking lanes, heavy vehicle pull-over areas, shoulder-sealing and curve-widening. These Highways, which are crucial links between the mineral rich West Coast and the mineral export Port of Burnie, will see projects delivered in stages beginning with the Zeehan Highway between the Murchison Highway and Henty Main Road at Zeehan, followed by stage two upgrades of the Murchison Highway between Argent River/Serpentine Hill and Ring River.
- $10 million towards safety and efficiency improvements to the Ridgley Highway, a key freight and industry route connecting Burnie to the West Coast. Improvements will focus on safety measures through the Ridgley township area, 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.
The Bass Highway is a key corridor linking major population centres, transport hubs and agricultural areas across the State. The Bass Highway Corridor Strategy – Launceston to Devonport – identifies 66 potential improvements for the 91 km section from Hadspen to east of Port Sorell Road. We will prioritise the duplication of the highway between Hadspen and Deloraine to deliver a safe and consistent four-lane highway for passenger and freight vehicles along this high-volume road, which has been progressively realigned to bypass towns, enabling full duplication. Traffic is increasing at a rate of two per cent annually and four per cent for heavy vehicles, which already make up 20 per cent of total traffic.
In addition, a Liberal Government will continue projects already underway including:
- The $25 million in road upgrades between Devonport and Cradle Mountain – we have undertaken community consultation on the improvements that could meet the needs of the local community while catering for future tourism growth. A report on potential upgrades and improvements will be released in coming months, and will be leveraged to seek supporting Australian Government funding.
- $10 million in upgrades to the Stanley Highway – we have consulted with the local community and other key stakeholders, which identified that the southern section from the Bass Highway to the township is the overwhelming priority. We are now in the design phase of the project and are expecting to have the design finalised in early 2024.
- $19 million in improvements to the Lyell Highway between Queenstown and Strahan, including eight stopping bays, four passing lanes, safety barriers and road realignments.
- Bass Highway junction improvements at Preolenna Road and Ewingtons Road Wynyard, Port Road and Blackabay’s Road, and Boat Harbour, as well as alignment improvements at Rocky Cape, due to be released for tender in coming weeks.
- Overtaking lanes and junction improvements on the Bass Highway at Edgcumbe Beach are expected to be released for tender in coming months.
- Zeehan Highway improvements between Murchison Highway and Henty Main Road.
Net Cost: These initiatives form part of our $2.3 billion State Roads commitments over the next four years.