The Rudd Government will unlock $4.5 million to upgrade the Midland Highway, including the notorious Constitution Hill, in Tasmania to
The Rudd Government will unlock $4.5 million to upgrade the Midland Highway, including the notorious Constitution Hill, in Tasmania to bring forward safety improvements.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese, was in Tasmania today to announce the funding, which has been brought forward from the 2009-10 financial year by the Government.
The funding will see the highway widened at Constitution Hill between Bagdad and Dysart and the installation of new centre and side audible lines along a 140km stretch between Breadalbane, south of Launceston, and Pontville to the south of Bagdad.
Albanese says the announcement builds on the Government’s commitment to deliver $426 million in infrastructure improvements over the next five years in Tasmania.
“There’s no question that these upgrades to the Midland Highway are needed to help make the highway safer for motorists and their families,” he says.
“That’s why we have brought the money forward to get these important projects started as soon as possible.”
The Tasmanian Government will meet the balance of the total $5.6 million cost.
The Constitution Hill upgrades respond to a recommendation of the Tasmanian Coroner following an accident in May 2006 that claimed four young lives.
Tenders for the Constitution Hill component of the upgrade will be called shortly by the Tasmanian Government with the majority of the work expected to be completed by May 2009. Final seal and line marking is expected to be completed in the summer months of 2009.