The Tasmanian Government plans to sustainably grow tourism by building new roads infrastructure.
The government’s $72 million Roads to Support Tasmania’s Visitor Economy program is a tourism roads-specific investment program that aims to improve a number of roads used by visitors as they travel to experience fast-emerging icons such as the Three Capes Walk, Bruny Island, the Tarkine and the Great Eastern Drive.
Recent international visitor survey figures show the state’s plan for tourists to stay longer, spend more and travel further around regional Tasmania is working.
With this growth in visitor numbers, the government says it must ensure that the state’s infrastructure, particularly roads, meet the needs and expectations of visitors and locals alike.
This summer’s road construction season will see a down payment on this investment, with the contract awarded to build a new $2 million overtaking lane on the Great Eastern Drive at Cranbrook, north of Swansea.
The project will provide a safe passing opportunity for northbound traffic near Glen Gala Road, and is the first of a series of upgrades planned for the Great Eastern Drive to enhance driver experience, improve safety and travel time reliability.
Other improvements planned along the Great Eastern Drive touring route include junction upgrades at Beaumaris Beach, Dark Hollow Creek, Freshwater Street and Skyline Drive.
Improvements to the car park area at Four Mile Creek will also allow for safer entry and exit at this popular lookout.
Work will also start soon on a $3 million upgrade of Stormlea Road, which is a popular access route for the Three Capes Walk and the world-famous surf spot Shipstern Bluff.
The sealing of Hastings Cave Road in Tasmania’s far South will also get underway this summer.
Among the government’s targets for tourism and infrastructure is to bring all of Tasmania’s primary freight and passenger roads up to a minimum three-star AusRAP safety rating by 2040.
