JOINT RELEASE WITH STATE INFRASTRUCTURE MINISTER RENE HIDDING
WORK is scheduled to start this month for the construction of road safety improvements on the Bass Highway, the key passenger and freight route in the state’s north.
Tasmanian company Shaw Contracting Pty Ltd has been announced as the successful tenderer for the $4m project which will upgrade safety on the Bass Highway, west of Westbury, between the Birralee Main Road overpass and Exton.
Federal Lyons MP Eric Hutchinson said the jointly funded project was an important road safety upgrade.
“This section of highway is currently single lane and links two divided dual carriageway sections between Hagley and Exton,” Mr Hutchinson said.
“The conversion of this section of highway from single carriageway to dual carriageway will reduce driver confusion by providing a consistent road environment, improve safety and eliminate the possibility of head-on crashes.
“The work will involve constructing a 3.2km dual carriageway including the installation of flexible safety barriers as well as upgrading the highway to a minimum AusRap 3 star safety standard.”
Tasmanian Minister for Infrastructure Rene Hidding said the project would also provide welcome job support for Tasmania.
“Construction is expected to start within weeks and works are anticipated to be completed by May 2016,” Mr Hidding said.
Construction of the additional traffic lanes will occur alongside the existing highway. Motorists are urged to slow down and take care as speed restrictions and altered traffic conditions will apply. It is not expected that traffic flow will be directly affected by the majority of these works.
For more information, http://www.transport.tas.gov.au/road/projects/bass_highway_birralee_main_road_to_exton_-_roadworks
Federal Lyons MHR Eric Hutchinson
