The East (blue) and West (red) Tamar Valley highways are key economic and tourism corridors in the region. Image: Modified from Google Maps.
The Tasmanian Government has released an investment strategy for planned upgrades to the East and West Tamar highways near Launceston.
The government says both highways are important connectors for growing communities, industry, agriculture and visitors to Launceston and other parts of the state, and that a combined $203 million in Commonwealth and state funding has been committed towards the upgrades.
The East Tamar Highway Corridor Strategy covers the length of the highway from Launceston to Bell Bay, as well as Bell Bay Main Road, and includes a finalised list of opportunities to improve safety and efficiency, and address key issues that have been highlighted by the community.
These include road-widening, intersection improvements, extra overtaking lanes, and improvements to active transport connections. The strategy says an initial package of work has been developed for design and delivery of these improvements, with more detailed information to be made available later this year.
The strategy reads, “The highway forms part of the National Land Transport Network and the National Key Freight Route Network, reflecting its strategic importance in providing a key freight connection to the Port of Bell Bay, and Bell Bay industrial precinct and manufacturing zone.”
On the other side of the river, the West Tamar Highway Corridor Strategy covers the length of the highway from Launceston to Beauty Point, and builds on a previous study that just looked at the southern section of the highway between Launceston and Legana.
This new plan provides an assessment of the highway and its ability to meet the current and expected needs of the region, including a list of improvement opportunities including improved pedestrian crossings in Exeter, and intersection upgrades through Riverside, and Frankford Road.
The strategy reads, “The West Tamar Highway Corridor performs multiple functions as it is the key link for freight, tourism and commuters between the West Tamar local government area and the rest of the state.
“The Corridor Strategy covers the entire length of the West Tamar Highway that the department manages, from Margaret Street in Launceston at the southern end, through the towns of Exeter and Beaconsfield to Beauty Point at the northern end. The highway is approximately 47 km in length.”
Tasmanian Minister for Infrastructure Kerry Vincent said, “These new strategies provide evidence-based, prioritised lists of projects for future funding, complementing each other to provide a long-term view for transport infrastructure in the state’s north.
“Community consultation was vital in the development of these strategies, ensuring future investment on these key routes meets the needs and expectations of those who travel on them every day. I thank the public for their feedback.”
