Hodgman pledges four-lane highway from Hobart to Sorell

TRAFFIC is emerging as a major state election issue — and the first major policy announcement can be revealed.

A RE-ELECTED Hodgman Government would duplicate the Tasman Highway between Hobart and Sorell — including its bottleneck causeways — in a $130 million pitch to frustrated motorists.

Premier Will Hodgman is set to announce the major infrastructure upgrade today as traffic around Hobart emerges as an election issue.

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“The economy is growing strongly, so we need to invest more into our road infrastructure to address the growing pains it brings,” Mr Hodgman told the Sunday Tasmanian.

“It is clear the road network in Sorell and the surrounding area needs priority upgrading to accommodate the increased population and allow southeast residents to spend less time stuck in traffic and more time enjoying themselves.

“This is an eight-year vision that will transform the link between the Tasman Bridge and the township of Sorell into four lanes the entire way, including the estimated $130 million duplication of the Sorell causeways and McGees Bridge.”

Long peak-hour queues on the single-lane causeways have symbolised the traffic issues that have plagued Hobart in recent years.

Traffic in Murray Street, Hobart. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

Traffic emerged as a major issue during the recent by-election for the Eastern Shore Upper House seat of Pembroke.

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Mr Hodgman said the Liberals would deliver a package of six traffic solutions for the South.

This is an eight-year vision that will transform the link between the Tasman Bridge and the township of Sorell into four lanes the entire way, including the estimated $130 million duplication of the Sorell causeways and McGees Bridge — Premier Will Hodgman

“There are a range of other projects specifically designed to complement this work that will reduce congestion, improve safety and reduce travel times to and from the city,” he said.

A planning study would be completed during the first year of a re-elected Hodgman Government to determine how the four-lane road would be completed, Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding said.

Sorell and Midway Point, linked by two causeways, have experienced explosive population growth in recent years.

A Southern Sorell bypass would connect the Arthur Highway to the Southern Beaches or Tasman Peninsula.

Extra lanes would be added to the Midway Point roundabout, the road between the airport roundabout and first causeway would be widened and extra overtaking lanes added to the Arthur Highway.

“Early project costs indicate this work would be around $130 million,” Mr Hidding said.

The airport interchange is being upgraded with assistance from the Federal Government.

The Tasman Highway to Sorell was one of the most complained about routes in a survey on Tasmanian roads conducted by the RACT earlier this year.

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