Work starts on northern Tasmanian junction upgrade projects

Tasmania’s Bass Highway set for safety, productivity improvements — Image courtesy of the Australian Government.

Works are now underway on the first of three key junction upgrades to be rolled out in Tasmania’s north over the next three months.

The $4.3 million upgrade projects are jointly funded by the Australian and Tasmanian governments on an 80:20 split. The federal funding is through the second tranche of the Road Safety Program.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the Road Safety Program supports the fast roll-out of life-saving safety works on rural and regional roads.

“The Australian Government has committed $3 billion nationwide to the Road Safety Program,” Minister Joyce said.

“These upgrades are about ensuring that the infrastructure Tasmanians need and deserve is funded and delivered, to reduce the number of people missing around the dinner table due to road tragedies.”

Tasmanian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael Ferguson said the first project to get underway is a new off-ramp connecting the Bass Highway with Westbury Road at the Prospect Vale interchange.

“The new ramp will replace the current exit onto Westbury Road, which has a tight curve and a history of loss-of-control crashes at the location,” Minister Ferguson said.

“This project will provide a safer and easier exit from the eastbound lanes of the Bass Highway onto Westbury Road via Meander Valley Road.

“Works began on Monday 8 November and are expected to be completed in March 2022, weather permitting. Road users are reminded to plan ahead for expected delays during construction.”

Federal Member for Bass Bridget Archer said the package will also deliver new dedicated right-turn lanes at the Windermere Road and Magazine Road junction on the East Tamar Highway, and the Weymouth Road and School Road junction on Bridport Main Road.

“Works will start on the East Tamar Highway junction later in November 2021 and on Bridport Main Road in early 2022,” Mrs Archer said.

“These projects complement four safety upgrades completed earlier in 2021 under the first round of the Road Safety Program.”

The previous works delivered safety improvements including road widening and dedicated turn lanes at the junctions of Poatina Main Road and Green Rises Road, Colebrook Road and Tea Tree Road, Tasman Highway and Lake Leake Road, and Tasman Highway and Upper Scamander Road.