Tenders called for Midland Highway Kempton to Melton Mowbray Stage 1 safety improvements

Tenders are now open for safety improvements on the Kempton to Melton Mowbray Stage 1 project – the next milestone in the Australian and Tasmanian governments’ $500 million Midland Highway 10 Year Action Plan.

Federal Minister for Major Projects Paul Fletcher said the Midland Highway 10 Year Action Plan sets out the key priorities for investing $400 million in Australian Government funding and $100 million in Tasmanian Government funding over 10 years to upgrade the highway, improve road safety and save lives on Tasmania's key north-south freight route.

“The overall Kempton to Melton Mowbray project will be delivered in two stages to improve safety on a 10 kilometre section of highway between Kempton and Melton Mowbray,” Mr Fletcher said.

“The project will widen the road, extend the sealed shoulders, upgrade junctions, provide flexible safety barriers and additional overtaking lanes for both north and southbound traffic, and also build safe turning facilities suitable for both light and heavy vehicles.

“The $11.5 million Stage 1 of the Kempton to Melton Mowbray project will improve approximately 4km of highway from north of Mood Food to Lake Secondary Road.  Works are planned to start this summer.

“The subsequent Stage 2 project will complete the works from south of Kempton through to north of Mood Food.  The works for the two projects will be sequenced to minimise disruption.”

Tasmanian Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding said this project follows the recent announcement of the contractor for the South of Tunbridge project, which is scheduled to start construction this month.

“The tranche of projects scheduled to commence this summer construction season also includes projects from Tunbridge to Mona Vale Road and Stage 1 of Mangalore to Bagdad,” Mr Hidding said.

“The overall aim of our 10 year investment in the Midland Highway is to deliver a minimum AusRAP 3-star safety rating for the highway's entire length.

“We recognise that there will be some disruption and delays for motorists travelling along the highway as the safety improvements are progressively rolled out.

“We thank motorists for their patience and understanding that this is the Government's top road safety priority and will help save lives.”

For further information visit www.midlandhighway.tas.gov.au.