Prime Minister announces multimillion-dollar spend on Tasmanian roads in 2021-22 budget
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a massive cash bonanza for Tasmanian roads in the 2021-22 federal budget.
Tasmania
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A DANGEROUS crash hot spot at Kingston will be upgraded and a transit link in the Huon constructed, with the federal government announcing $322.6 million for Tasmanian roads.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced Tuesday’s 2021-22 budget would include a massive multimillion-dollar overhaul of Tasmania’s road infrastructure, including many key, long-awaited projects.
In a joint statement with Transport Minister Michael McCormack and Urban Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher, Mr Morrison said millions of additional dollars would also be poured into existing projects such as the Port of Burnie shiploader upgrade.
That project, which was announced during the 2019 federal election, aims to improve the loading of mineral goods from West Coast mines onto ships for export.
Mr Morrison said the projects would make Tasmanian roads safer, reduce travel times and support employment.
“From continuing upgrades on the Bass and Midland highways, to delivering a better Port of Burnie shiploader – these projects will support more than 1000 direct and indirect jobs across Tasmania,” he said.
“Our record funding commitment is creating jobs, boosting business investment, while securing Australia’s COVID recovery.”
New projects announced in the funding include $80 million to upgrade the safety and freight efficiency of the Bass Highway under the already-existing Tasmanian Roads Package.
Algona Road – which links Blackmans Bay and Kingston, and which has been the site of numerous crashes over the years, including a fatal accident last August that claimed the lives of a Huntingfield man and his two-year-old daughter – will receive $48 million in upgrades.
The project will upgrade the roundabout at the intersection of Algona Road and Channel Highway near Kingston, and will duplicate the Kingston Bypass from Algona Road to Huon Highway.
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The Huon Link Road – a bypass east of Huonville connecting the Channel Highway to the Huon Highway – will receive a $13.2 million contribution.
The Midland Highway will receive $37.8 million for upgrades from Campbell Town to Epping Forest, another $36.4 million at Oatlands between Jericho and south of York Plains, and a further $35.7 million at Ross from Mona Vale Road.
Another $44 million will be spent on upgrades for Rokeby Road-South Arm Road.
Existing projects receiving additional funding include $3.5 million for pre-construction works at the Midland Highway and an extra $24 million – on top of the previously announced $40 million – for the Burnie shiploader upgrade.
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