Coalition pledges $64 million to upgrade Illawarra Main Road in electorate of Lyons

The Coalition has promised to upgrade a major road connecting Longford with the Bass and Midland highways if it wins Saturday’s election.

Nationals leader Michael McCormack announcing funding for Illawarra Road, near Perth, alongside the party’s Lyons candidate Deanna Hutchinson. Picture: CHRISTOPHER TESTA

THE Coalition has promised $64 million to upgrade a major road connecting Longford with the Bass and Midland highways if it wins Saturday’s election.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack announced the commitment on Tuesday morning outside the township of Perth, in the electorate of Lyons where Nationals candidate Deanna Hutchinson is now the Coalition’s preferred pick.

The upgrade would be part of a joint federal-state project, with the Tasmanian Government to contribute the rest of the funding.

Ms Hutchinson said the upgrade to Illawarra Main Road would happen in two stages.

“Our commitment is to prioritise construction on widening, improving and adding protected overtaking lanes to the section from the Bass Highway to Longford, with a federal injection of $60 million,” said Ms Hutchinson

“We will also provide $4 million to ensure planning and design is underway for the section from Longford to Perth, including consideration of the Longford roundabout and the bridges over the South Esk River at Longford and Perth, in parallel to the completion of Perth link roads in 2021.

State Infrastructure Minister Jeremy Rockliff said upgrading Illawarra Main Road was part of its plan to upgrade all Tasmanian primary freight and passenger roads up to a minimum three-star standard on the AusRAP safety rating by 2040.