Largest Safety Upgrade on Midland Highway Begins

Preliminary works begin today on the $61.8 million Perth to Breadalbane duplication, the largest safety upgrade project in the $500 million Midland Highway 10 Year Action Plan.

The Australian Government has committed $400 million and the Tasmanian Government $100 million to the Midland Highway 10 Year Action Plan to provide important upgrades and deliver a safer highway for all users of Tasmania’s key north-south connection.

Minister for Major Projects Paul Fletcher said he was looking forward to viewing progress on the Midland Highway during his visit to Tasmania on Wednesday.

“The Perth to Breadalbane duplication is a priority project that will improve safety, connectivity and efficiency on this key section of the Midland Highway,” Mr Fletcher said.

“The primary objective of the Midland Highway 10 Year Action Plan is to bring the full length of the Highway up to a minimum 3-star AusRAP safety rating.

“These works will create a divided dual-lane highway from Perth to connect with the existing four-lanes just north of the Breadalbane roundabout, creating a safer highway for motorists.”

Federal Member for Lyons Eric Hutchinson said the section of highway between Perth and Breadalbane is a very busy section of highway carrying over 12,000 vehicles on an average day.

“This section of the Midland Highway also provides a vital connection for freight travelling to and from Tasmania’s northern ports,” Mr Hutchinson said.

“Early works currently underway include fencing new property boundaries, and next week service relocations with electricity network provider TasNetworks will begin.”

Tasmanian Minister for Infrastructure Rene Hidding said these works prior to Christmas are the first step towards delivering critical capacity increases and safety improvements between Perth and Breadalbane.

“The Tasmanian Department of State Growth has been working closely with the local community on this project and the design has received positive feedback,” Mr Hidding said.

Tenders for the main construction contract closed on 2 December 2015, and following the appointment of a contractor, main works are expected to commence in early 2016.

For more information on the Midland Highway 10 Year Action Plan visit www.midlandhighway.tas.gov.au