Designs released for Tasmania works

Designs for upgrades to the Midway Point and Sorell causeways and a second McGees Bridge in Tasmania have been released for public feedback.

The project is part of ongoing upgrades to the Tasman Highway between Sorell and Hobart under the Federal and Tasmanian governments’ $349.5 million South East Traffic Solution (SETS) program.

The South East Traffic Solution aims to help improve travel time reliability on the road network between Hobart and Sorell and the Southern Beaches.

The Sorell area is leading population growth in Tasmania’s south, increasing at nearly three times the rate of the whole State. This growth has resulted in heavier traffic and reduced travel time reliability at peak times,

Further pressure on the local road network is generated by strong growth in tourist traffic, with Sorell at the junction of the Tasman Highway and Arthur Highway, carrying through-traffic on the Great Eastern Drive to the north, and to Port Arthur and the Tasman Peninsula in the south-east.

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Kerry Vincent, Minister for Infrastructure, said seeking public feedback on the causeways and second McGees Bridge designs was an important milestone for the project.

“The upgraded causeways will complement the other significant projects completed under the program including the Midway Point interchange, the Sorell Bypass and Hobart Airport interchange,” he said.

“These projects are already delivering safety and travel time improvements for road users travelling between Hobart and the growing south-east region.

“The project will improve safety and traffic flow by widening each causeway to four lanes and building a second bridge next to the McGees Bridge.”

Members of the public can view and provide feedback on the designs until Tuesday, 11 March 2025 on the website.

The Australian Government has recently confirmed that the project must be assessed under the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

In the coming weeks, the Australian Government will issue further guidelines on the environmental investigations that must be completed and approved before construction can commence. Construction is expected to begin in late 2025.

For more information, visit: https://www.tas.gov.au/