The Hodgman Liberal Government is getting on with the job of delivering the infrastructure that Tasmania needs to drive economic growth.
Today, I was pleased to announce that a major milestone has been reached on the Midland Highway Perth to Breadalbane Duplication Project, with planning finalised and a development application lodged with the Northern Midlands Council.
This $60 million project, which has been developed with extensive local consultation, is the most significant road project in Northern Tasmania in nearly a decade.
Site works are expected to begin in December and, importantly, will support our civil construction industry, creating many local, Tasmanian jobs.
The project will deliver a divided four-lane highway from Perth north of the Youl Main Road to match into the existing four lanes just north of the Breadalbane roundabout, into Launceston.
When complete, this means there will be four lanes between Perth and Launceston, slashing travelling times and providing for convenient and safe overtaking on the busiest section of the Midland Highway.
The design features new provisions for safer access to the highway for local residents and businesses, such as new underpass arrangements for both Devon Hills Road and the business precinct on the western side of the highway.
In addition, there will be an underpass for airport traffic, and the design also includes substantial consideration of cyclists, as this area is a popular cyclist link to the Northern Midlands.
This significant infrastructure project will bring safety and time-saving benefits for Tasmania’s key north-south passenger and freight route, as well as supporting hundreds of jobs.
A detailed design plan can be viewed at www.midlandhighway.tas.gov.au
Rene Hidding, Minister for Infrastructure
