RACT says infrastructure projects should be brought forward to aid in Tasmania’s economic recovery

The River Derwent ferry service and four-lane Hobart Airport interchange are two key infrastructure projects that should be brought forward while traffic volumes are low, the RACT says. Tell us which projects you’d like to see prioritised.

KEY infrastructure projects should be fast-tracked while traffic volumes are lower in a move that would also aid Tasmania’s economic recovery from coronavirus, the state’s peak motoring body says.

The RACT has written to the State Government to suggest timelines be brought forward for a number of projects across the state.

Artist's impression of a Metro ferry.

In the South, they have listed the Hobart Airport Interchange, a park and ride at Huntingfield linking Kingston and the city, and River Derwent ferry service projects as priorities.

State and Federal Governments have committed $50 million to build a four-lane interchange that will replace the Hobart Airport roundabout.

Meanwhile, the establishment of a River Derwent ferry service is part of the $1.6 billion Hobart City Deal, with $2 million funding assigned to the project.

Under the deal, a business case is expected to be drawn up before a decision is made on whether it will proceed.

Proposed plan to run a ferry service from Bellerive to Hobart.

RACT group chief executive officer Mark Mugnaioni said coronavirus restrictions meant it was an ideal time to get the projects underway.

“While certain restrictions are being lifted in the next few weeks, the impacts of social distancing and other measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 are with us for some time yet,” he said.

“This will mean the lower volumes of traffic on our roads — particularly at peak times — will continue.

“While there are fewer cars on the road, we believe this is the perfect time to fast-track some

projects that are already planned for around the state.

“This will improve our roads, increase safety and ease the burden of congestion once our lives return to normal.”

RACT group chief executive Mark Mugnaioni.

The RACT said safety improvements north of Legana on the West Tamar Hwy and at Boat Harbour on the Bass Hwy should also be brought forward.

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Infrastructure Minister Michael Ferguson said a “whole series” of tenders would be taken to market in the middle of this year ahead of the summer construction period.

Tenders will be for work on the Midland Hwy, the Great Eastern Drive and the Bass Hwy.

“We will continue to progress our Midland Highway works, which we are now of course about 63 per cent of the way through of our 10-year plan,” Mr Ferguson said.

Mr Ferguson said the state was working with industry as well as local and commonwealth governments to get new projects going.

“We’ve provided $150 million loan funds on the table right now for Local Government so they can bring forward some of their capital projects.”

Mr Ferguson said once the $93 million Perth Links Road project – the biggest individual project of the Midland Highway Actions Plan – is complete, focus will shift to the road from Melton Mowbray to Lovely Banks in the Southern Midlands.

“That project has just commenced. Of course there’s also the Hobart Airport Interchange. That has commenced, but it will really rev up next month,” he said.

“We will continue to see work on the West Tamar Highway, as I say, the Great Eastern Drive and the Bass Highway.”

Expedited investment was one of three priorities outlined by the RACT as part of its plan for the state’s road to recovery.

The others were keeping people safe — including encouraging people to download the COVIDSafe app, and urging drivers to be vigilant on the roads — and supporting Tasmanian businesses to navigate their way out of the coronavirus crisis.