The Tasman Highway’s Great Eastern Drive will receive $100 million in additional upgrades that will improve safety and traffic flow along Tasmania’s East Coast.
The Federal and Tasmanian Governments are jointly delivering these improvements to the Tasman Highway, which will include junction upgrades, road widening and additional overtaking lanes.
The works will be delivered in three packages, the first of which is known as the Apsley package.
Having commenced in February 2025, the package will deliver upgrades to the section of Tasman highway between Bicheno and Coles Bay Road.
The upgrades will add the east coast’s first Hobart-bound overtaking lane, and deliver safety improvements through road widening and realignment to several corners of the highway with high crash rates.
The Triabunna package includes upgrades on a 1.3-kilometre section of the highway to the north of Triabunna. Designs for this project will be finalised in May 2025, with construction expected to start later this year.
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The Lisdillon package will upgrade a 13-kilometre section of the highway between Pontypool and Rocky Hills and is in early planning stages.
The Federal Government has committed $100 million towards this project, which is delivering on the $540 million election commitment to upgrade key road corridors in Tasmania. The Tasmanian Government is also investing $25 million towards the project.
Kerry Vincent, Tasmanian Infrastructure Minister said the government is focused on building safer and more efficient roads around the state.
“We are contributing $25 million towards these upgrades which will provide a safer and smoother experience along the Great Eastern Drive for locals, freight operators, and the growing number of tourists visiting the State,” said Vincent.
“The highway has had several upgrades under this project since 2018, prioritising areas that improve safety and drive increased tourism to the many iconic and regional locations on the State’s East Coast.
“The upgrades have been heavily influenced by feedback from the community, several councils, and other key stakeholders on multiple occasions since 2019.”
For more information, visit: www.transport.tas.gov.au/greateasterndrive
