Michael Ferguson,Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
The Tasmanian Government is improving traffic flow on the East Derwent Highway with work well advanced on completing the duplication of the highway between Golf Links Road and Sugarloaf Road.
Tasmanian company Andrew Walter Constructions is contracted to widen this section of the highway to two lanes in each direction under the $14.7 million project. The project is partly funded through the Tasmanian Government's $40 million commitment to road and bridge funding under its COVID-19 economic stimulus package.
This completes the missing link in the highway and will create a consistent dual carriageway from the Tasman Bridge off ramp at Rose Bay to Grass Tree Hill Road roundabout at Risdon Vale, reducing delays caused by merging traffic, and making journeys safer and travel times more predictable.
A new concrete, raised central media and safety barrier will reduce the frequency and severity of crashes.
The dual lanes will also make it easier and safer to turn left into Lindisfarne North Primary School by removing the need for vehicles to merge at the school entry, and lengthening the entry lane into the school.
Safety will be improved at the current intersection with Clinton Road and Geilston Bay Road through new traffic signals, and realigning Dumbarton Drive and Clinton Road.
The upgraded intersection will provide access to a new, safer alternative route to the school for those travelling from the north. It will also reduce the number of cars turning into the school directly from East Derwent Highway.
Children will be able to walk or cycle to school in greater safety through the installation of a shared pathway on the school side of the highway, and a safety fence to ensure pedestrians cross at controlled points.
The project, which is providing 30 full-time jobs and a further 150 indirect jobs through subcontractors, is expected to be completed by December 2022.
The Gutwein Liberal Government invested a record $317 million in the State's roads and bridges last financial year and we are on track to break this record again this financial year.
This is one of two projects aimed at improving safety on this important transport corridor. Work started in July on building new turning lanes into Otago Bay Road and Kandos Drive, which will reduce the risk of crashes by taking turning vehicles out of through traffic.
