RACT survey reveals state’s most-complained about roads

TASMANIA’S roads have scored a miserable average of just 4.8 out of 10 in a confidential survey involving almost 7000 RACT members.

The Midland Highway, at Constitution Hill. The highway is the most complained about road in the state.

TASMANIA’S roads have scored a miserable average of just 4.8 out of 10 in a confidential survey involving almost 7000 RACT members.

The respondents, in an annual survey by the state’s peak motoring body, rated the standard of roads across the state.

The top 10 most complained about roads, according to the results, were ranked as the:

The Bass Highway, the second-most complained about road in Tasmania

THE Midland Highway;

BASS Highway;

EAST Coast (Tasman Highway);

TASMAN Highway (to Sorell);

ARTHUR Highway;

WEST Tamar Highway;

CHANNEL Highway;

HUON Highway;

WEST Coast roads, and;

MOUNT Street, Burnie.

Hobart’s Southern Outlet and Davey/Macquarie streets, the locations of frequent peak hour congestion and traffic management criticism, failed to make the Top 10, finishing 11th and 12th, respectively.

RACT president Kathryn Westwood.

Respondents ranked overall “Hobart congestion” 21st in the survey.

RACT president Kathryn Westwood notified RACT members of the survey responses via an article in the Journeys Magazine, which began being delivered to households on Monday.

“The take-out message from our members is that our main highways and the main tourist routes are considered below standard, and this appears to be a concern across the state,” Ms Westwood wrote.

“The state’s road network is obviously important for increasing opportunities for drive tourism in regional Tasmania.

“One of our messages to government will be the urgent need to upgrade and maintain the state’s tourist routes.

“But clearly, with only a 4.8/10 rating for our roads, there is an under-investment across the state and we will be seeking to work further with the government on where investment should be prioritised, particularly as we work toward a State Election by March 2018.”

The Southern Outlet came in at number 11 on the list. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding said the Government was projected to invest $830 million over the next four years on vital road upgrades, including $500 million over 10 years on the Midland Highway.

“People have strong views on the state of our roads, and it is unsurprising they want better road infrastructure, which is why we are making additional investments with the Federal Government to fix identified black spots, as well as fund large scale upgrades on major highways,” Mr Hidding said.

He cited $7.7 million on Bass Highway safety improvements, $15 million on the Tasman Ramps project, $30 million on the Airport Roundabout project and a new project set to start in Latrobe.

Furthermore, there were at present more than 20 major road projects statewide, he said.

Opposition treasury and tourism spokesman Scott Bacon said the State Government needed to get a better federal road funding deal from Canberra.

“Liberal governments at a state and federal level have slashed roads and infrastructure funding,” Mr Bacon said.

“The poor results in the RACT survey are the consequences of these cuts.

“The Hodgman Government has been reactive rather than proactive when it comes to road maintenance and won’t fight for Tasmania’s fair share in Canberra.

“Until they do, the state’s roads will continue to be rated so poorly by locals and visitors alike.”