Sideling upgrades funded and contract signed

Michael Ferguson,Minister for Infrastructure and Transport

Bridget Archer,Liberal Member for Bass

Upgrades to the Tasman Highway at the Sideling are set to start with civil construction company Fulton Hogan contracted to undertake the first stage of the works.

The Australian and Tasmanian Governments have committed a total of $120 million for the upgrading of the Tasman Highway from just south of the St Patricks River Bridge across the Sideling to Scottsdale. ($96m federal, $24m State)

“Having secured $40 million for stage 1 and an additional $56 million for stage 2 during this year’s Federal Budget, I’m incredibly pleased works will soon be underway,” Liberal Member for Bass, Bridget Archer said.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve this important road and together with the irrigation investment in this area in recent years, it will add to the future economic development potential of this region and will support around 300 direct and indirect jobs.”

The funding commitment is for upgrading this section of the Tasman Highway to B-Double standard, mostly involving straightening of the existing alignment, the addition of passing lanes and widening of the road.

The Dorset Council has long considered the Sideling to be a barrier to the economic prosperity of the North-East region so we are taking action.

The section of the Tasman Highway known as the Sideling between Launceston and Scottsdale is well known to many Tasmanians for its challenging bends and spectacular topography.

The first stage of works will be on the Tasman Highway from Whish-Wilson Road to Corkery’s Road, west of the Sideling Lookout.

Residents of the North-East, the freight industry and tourists alike will all benefit from this upgrade to the Sideling, which has been talked about for decades and are now a reality, thanks to the partnership and commitment of the Federal and State Liberal Governments.

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