About the project
This project involves upgrading about 24 kilometres of the Tasman Highway from Minstone Road, Scottsdale, to St Patricks River.
The Australian and Tasmanian Governments have committed $120 million to the project.
We are improving safety and the current road alignment by widening the road, sealing the road shoulders, and providing passing opportunities.
This project improves:
- travel time reliability for commercial operators and the travelling public between Bridport, Scottsdale and Launceston
- safety for heavy vehicles and general road users by providing wider lanes and sealed shoulders
- road alignments by widening corners
- the driving experience and access for local road users, freight operators and tourists.
In April 2024, we finished upgrades to a 4.6km section of road between Sideling Lookout and Whish Wilson Road and we are now investigating the best options to improve safety and travel time reliability, along the remaining 20 kilometres.
Community consultation: May 2025
We are now ready to upgrade the remaining sections of the Sideling, between St Patricks River and Minstone Road, Scottsdale.
Consultation on the next phase of the project opens between Tuesday, 20 May 2025 and Sunday, 8 June 2025, and you can share your feedback online or in-person.
You can share your thoughts online here: engage.stategrowth.tas.gov.au/tasman-highway-sideling-upgrade-project
The link above will activate once consultation opens.
You can also view and provide feedback on the designs from Tuesday, 20 May 2025 to Sunday, 8 June 2025:
- in person at Dorset Council Offices (3 Ellenor Street, Scottsdale).
- Information sessions with the project team will also provide community members with the opportunity to view the designs and ask questions in-person. The sessions will be held on:
Thursday 22 May 2025 from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Springfield Hall (20 South Springfield Road, Springfield).
Saturday, 24 May 2025 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at Woolworths Scottsdale (1 Victoria Street, Scottsdale).
Construction on the section of the Tasman Highway between Minstone Road and the Sideling Lookout is on track to start in late 2025.
Construction will be carried out in stages, with work to widen the section of road between Minstone Road and Sideling Lookout on track to start in late 2025.
Once we receive community feedback on the section of work between Sideling Lookout and St Patricks River, we will be aiming to secure funding and begin work as early as 2026.
Click play on the video below to find out more.
Timing
We have completed the section from Sideling Lookout to Whish Wilson Road.
We are now ready to upgrade the remaining sections of the Sideling, between St Patricks River and Minstone Road, Scottsdale.
Consultation on the next phase of the project begins on Tuesday, 20 May 2025.
Funding
This $120 million-upgrade is jointly funded by the Australian and Tasmania Governments.
Accessibility
If you would like to find out more information and you have accessibility requirements, please contact the project engagement consultant on the details below.
You can find out more about Transport Services' commitment to accessibility on our website here: https://www.transport.tas.gov.au/accessibility
Contact
For further information about the project, please contact our Stakeholder Engagement Consultant, Natasha Corponi on 1800 557 673 or email sidelingupgrade@stategrowth.tas.gov.au