Three stages along the Midland Highway in Tasmania, between Kempton to Melton Mowbray and Mangalore to Bagdad, are now open to motorists.
The Australian Government invested $400 million and the Tasmanian Government $100 million towards the Midland Highway Upgrade
Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Darren Chester, said, “The Midland Highway Ten Year Action Plan will improve safety on Tasmania’s key north south freight and passenger route, and improve road safety.”
“The three projects completed at a total cost of $34.7 million are Kempton to Melton Mowbray stage one and two, and Mangalore to Bagdad stage one -bringing the total number of projects completed under the plan to ten, and the total distance of highway upgraded to 25km or 17 per cent of the entire project.”
Senator for Tasmania, Jonathon Duniam, said Mangalore to Bagdad stage one had improved safety for all motorists travelling through the township of Bagdad.
“The Kempton to Melton Mowbray stage one and two projects have improved the approximately 10km section of highway between the southern entrance to Kempton and the Highland Lakes Road turnoff at Melton Mowbray,” Mr Duniam said.
“The works included construction of new overtaking lanes both north and southbound, creation of safer turning facilities and installation of flexible safety barriers to separate opposing traffic.
“The Midland Highway Upgrade is already having a positive impact for motorists with reduced travel times and improved traffic flows.”
Tasmanian Minister for Infrastructure, Rene Hidding, said more than $84 million worth of projects are currently under construction, including the Perth to Breadalbane duplication ($44 million), White Lagoon to Mona Vale ($23 million), Symmons Plain and south of Perth ($17 million).
“These works are not only resulting in increased safety for motorists, they are creating jobs for Tasmanians with numerous flow-on benefits for local businesses,” Mr Hidding said.
