Michael Ferguson,Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
The Tasmanian Liberal Government's record $5 billion infrastructure program, including $2.4 million for roads and bridges, is making a significant contribution to our clear plan to secure Tasmania's future.
As we emerge from the pandemic, our focus is on supporting and creating jobs, boosting the economy and ensuring business confidence remains strong.
By providing a strong and steady pipeline of work, we are giving construction firms the confidence they need to invest and keep Tasmanians employed, and it is working – the industry is flat out.
In turn, those employees are spending their money within the Tasmanian economy – with a counter meal at their local pub with the kids, a family trip supporting tourism businesses across the state, and even grabbing their breakfast on the way to work at a local milk bar.
We've been able to keep construction going through the pandemic, delivering multiple projects in 2019-20, and this year is shaping up to be even better. Already this season, we have completed a number of projects, including:
- The Mowbray Connector upgrade;
- The $92 million Perth Links;
- Intersection upgrades at Invermay;
- The first stage of upgrades to Railton Main Road;
- The Pub With No Beer corner on Highland Lakes Road; and
- Upgrades to Bridport Main Road.
And work is underway at a number of other sites, including:
- Final stages of the $565 million Midland Highway Action Plan, with around 103kms already complete or under construction;
- New Hobart Airport Interchange and Midway Point, as part of our $350 million South East Traffic Solution;
- Duplication of the East Derwent Highway;
- West Tamar Highway Priority Projects;
- New Apsley River Bridge;
- Sheas Creek Bridge at Orford;
We also have a number of contracts recently awarded or out to tender right across Tasmania, in every region:
- Bass Highway Somerset to Wynyard realignment;
- Sorell Southern Bypass;
- Bass Highway Oakleigh Rail Underpass;
- Meander River Bridge;
- Forth River Bridge strengthening;
- Binalong Bay Road shoulder widening;
- Davey Street pavement renewal;
- Railton Main Road Stage 2;
- Kingborough Park and Ride Facilities;
- Campbell Town pedestrian underpass;
- Midland Highway South Esk bridge strengthening; and
- On-road Traveller Information Systems and Tasman Bridge Lane Use Management System.
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is building the infrastructure our growing state needs, and it is clear our program of works is a key driver in our economic recovery as we secure Tasmania's future.
