Biggest Northern road project in decades gets underway
21 September 2018
Tasmanian Government:
Work has now commenced on the largest
single project in the 10-year $500 million
Midland Highway Action Plan,
which will provide a massive economic boost to Northern
Tasmania.
The $92.3 million
Perth Link
Roads project will deliver the final link in a dual carriageway
along the Midland Highway from Launceston to the south of
Perth, Tasmania.
Deputy Prime Minister, Nationals’ Leader and Minister for
Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack
said the project would increase safety, reduce traffic noise and ease
congestion in the area.
“Around Australia the Liberal and Nationals’ Government is investing in
upgrading roads to ensure people can get home sooner and safer, and
boost productivity,” Mr McCormack said.
“This project will improve safety and reduce traffic noise and
congestion by diverting heavy vehicles and traffic from the Perth town
centre.”
Tasmanian Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure Jeremy Rockliff
said the Perth Link Roads project was another important step in
improving safety along the length of the Highway to a minimum 3-star
AusRAP safety rating.
“This enormous project will deliver real safety and efficiency benefits
for commuters, as well as taking heavy freight trucks out of the centre
of the Perth township,” Mr Rockliff said.
“It will also result in millions being injected back into the economy
with numerous flow-on benefits for local businesses, while supporting an
estimated 166 direct and 25 indirect
jobs during construction.
“It’s a great example of the State and Federal Government working
together to improve the lives of Tasmanians.”
Liberal Senator for Tasmania David Bushby said detailed design was
underway and early works had started onsite.
“The community will love this project because it will deliver safety and
amenity benefits for the community, including landscaping at the
entrance to Perth, that will encourage tourism and a dedicated shared
path that will improve pedestrian and cyclist connections between
Longford and Breadalbane,” Senator Bushby said.
The Nationals’ Senator for Tasmania Steve Martin said the project was
the largest project of the $500 million Midland Highway Upgrade jointly
funded by the Australian and Tasmanian governments – a program that had
already delivered 13 projects.
“Construction on a number of other projects is progressing, including
York Plains to St Peters Pass, Mangalore to Bagdad Stage 2 (Mangalore),
Epping Forest to Powranna and St Peters Pass to south of Tunbridge,”
Senator Martin said.
Construction of the Perth Link Roads is expected to start in late 2018
and be completed by mid-2021.
The Australian Government has committed $83.1 million to the project,
with the Tasmanian Government committing the remaining $9.2 million.
In good news for local jobs, Tasmanian joint venture
VEC -
Shaw will
deliver the project.
For more information visitwww.midlandhighway.tas.gov.au.
--ENDS--
Source: Tasmanian Government - www.premier.tas.gov.au
Contact: N/A
External Links: www.midlandhighway.tas.gov.au
Recent news by: Tasmanian Government