New funding for the Tasman Hwy to be included in Federal Budget

UPDATED: The Sorell Mayor has welcomed a planned $130 million in funding for road upgrades between his town centre and Hobart as “very exciting”.

UPDATED: THE Sorell Mayor has welcomed a planned $130 million in funding for road upgrades between his town centre and Hobart as “very exciting”.

But Kerry Vincent said he was yet to hear any detail on how the money — foreshadowed to be included in tomorrow’s Federal Budget — would be spent.

“We’re pretty excited about it because it brings more focus to that Hobart to Sorell corridor, obviously there’s a lot of detail that needs to be worked out,” Cr Vincent said.

Cr Vincent said traffic congestion and weather were the daily talking points for Sorell residents.

“Everybody down here talks about it,” Cr Vincent said.

“A lot of people don’t have the flexibility to change their school or work times, so they travel in during bulk times.”

The $130 million in funding will form part of a $530 million roads package, the remainder of which was initially focused on the North-West and was funded in the 2018-19 Budget.

The causeway between Sorell and Midway Point.

EARLIER: NEW funding of $130 million for the Tasman Highway between Hobart and Sorell will be included in tomorrow’s Federal Budget, as the Coalition targets Tasmania’s crucial marginal seats.

A $530 million roads package for Tasmania will also include $400 million for projects under the Tasmanian Roads Package, which was initially focused on corridors in the North-West and funded in the 2018-19 budget.

Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the roads funding was being committed under the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government’s Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI) initiative.

State Minister for infrastructure Jeremy Rockliff and Liberal candidate Jane Howlett announced temporary measures to reduce traffic congestion at the Hobart International Airport roundabout. Picture: PATRICK GEE

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack. Picture: AAP Image/Peter Rae

“Ultimately, these upgrades will promote growth opportunities for Tasmania’s world-famous primary producers by ensuring cost-effective access to industry and markets,” Mr McCormack said.

“The funding package will also improve safety and access for local communities. The Hobart to Sorell corridor is about ensuring locals and tourists have reliable transport and will promote more opportunities for tourism in this beautiful state.”

Traffic congestion has become a major problem on the Tasman Highway between Hobart and Sorell, in the most populated part of Lyons.

Lyons is held by first-term Labor MP Brian Mitchell.

Mr Mitchell was once of three new MPs installed in 2016 when the Coalition was trounced by Labor in Tasmania.

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The Liberals hold no federal Lower House seats in Tasmania after losing their “Three Amigos” to Labor in Bass, Braddon and Lyons.

Bass and Braddon are among the nation’s most marginal electorates and have long been considered crucial to winning government.

Lyons is now part of the mix after also changing hands from Labor to Liberal to Labor in the last two elections.

A $100 million roads and traffic package for the Sorell-Hobart corridor, including duplicating the highway and causeways, was one of the Tasmanian Liberals’ major 2018 state election promises.

A planning study for the duplication of the Sorell causeways was due to be completed in the first year of the Liberal State Government.

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