Green light for major Tassie road upgrades

PRELIMINARY works are set to start in coming weeks as part of plans to create four lanes of traffic between Sorell and Hobart by 2025.

In a brief visit to Hobart on Tuesday, Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack spruiked the federal and state governments’ $ 187m commitment to see the Tasman Highway causeways and McGees Bridge duplicated as part of the South- East Traffic Solution.

The long- awaited works are part of a package of infrastructure projects in state and federal budgets to be given the green light in a bid to create 25,000 jobs.

The duplication of the causeways will deliver two lanes in each direction, with an additional bridge next to McGees Bridge and a 2.5mwide pathway.

New Zealand construction company Fulton Hogan was awarded the contract.

Mr McCormack labelled the project a “congestion

busting” build. “It’s so important that we get on with it and we’re certainly going to be starting this project in the coming weeks,” he said.

“COVID- 19 has hit the Tasmanian economy hard and that’s why the federal government is very pleased to partner with the state government here to build the infrastructure Tasmanians want, need and deserve.”

As part of preliminary project works, environmental investigations as well as design and community consultation

will be undertaken throughout 2021. Construction is expected to begin in 2023 before completion in 2025.

Sorell Mayor Kerry Vincent said creating four lanes between Sorell and Hobart was “60 years in the making”.

“It will actually allow us to plan our residential and economic growth for the next 50- 60 years with some certainty and that’s something we’ve never had before in this region,” he said.

“We just have to put up with four to five years of pain

to allow the jigsaw pieces to come together then we will have a fantastic road structure in and out of Sorell.”

The first South East Traffic Solution project, the Arthur Highway overtaking lane, was completed in February.

Early site preparation works have been completed at the Hobart Airport Interchange, with major construction expected to commence this week following the planning appeal tribunal’s decision to uphold approval.