Blowout in cost for airport traffic fix

UPGRADING the Hobart airport roundabout could cost $20 million more than expected, a Senate committee has heard.

The project, initially costed at $30 million, will replace the roundabout with a four-lane interchange in a bid to ease traffic between Sorell and Hobart.

The Coalition has pledged $24 million towards the project. However, during a Senate estimates hearing yesterday, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development official Phil McClure revealed the price tag could reach $50 million.

Mr McClure said endangered flora species, issues around the water table and the fact that Hobart airport owned some of the land had complicated the project.

“The cost will probably be higher than what was originally envisaged, yes. We’re still waiting for Tasmanian Government, they’re going through the tender process now … from what we hear, informally from the Tasmanian officials it’s probably more around $50 million,” he said.

In response to questions from Labor Senator Carol Brown on whether the Commonwealth would pay the additional funds, Mr McClure said a decision had not been made.

“It has been considered to be a priority project all along. So it may well be the case,” he said.

Franklin Labor MHR Julie Collins said the unclear timeline would further frustrate drivers stuck in traffic on the Tasman Highway each day.

“There is now a $20 million black hole in the funding of the Hobart airport roundabout upgrade,” Ms Collins said. “In 2017 the Liberals promised the roundabout upgrade would be finished by the end of 2020 but construction won’t start till next year at the earliest.”

The Sorell-Hobart corridor was named the worst section of road in the state in a recent survey by the RACT.