South Arm Highway Upgrade

We are gathering information to help plan a design for upgrading the South Arm Highway from two to four lanes from Pass Road (Rokeby) to Acton Road (Lauderdale).

Pass Road to Bayview Secondary College

We are investigating building two extra lanes in the road reserve from Pass Road, Rokeby to Bayview Secondary College.

Bayview Secondary College to Oakdowns

We are investigating building a new four-lane road south-west of South Arm Road, between Bayview Secondary College and Horsham Road.

Oakdowns Parade to Acton Road

We are investigating upgrading the South Arm Highway from two to four lanes from Oakdowns Parade to Acton Road, Lauderdale.

We are gathering information to help plan a design for upgrading the intersection at South Arm Highway and Acton Road, near Lauderdale Primary School.

Our community consultation has now closed. A big thank you to everyone who shared their opinions and thoughts with us.

We will now collate the feedback we gathered and create a report, which will be shared on this page.

You can view the online engagement site here.

Given the state election, we will continue to work on this project. However, we are unable to make any major decisions in relation to the project until government is formed.

October 2023 – November 2023: We worked on and near the road to take some measurements, and collecting information about the animals, plants, soil and heritage in the area to help with our planning.

December 2023: Community consultation, both in-person and online, for sharing the early concept plan for the South Arm Highway Upgrade (Pass Road to Acton Road).

October 2023 – May 2024: Preparing draft designs.

Proposed construction periods

The works will be constructed in stages, with indicative timing below:

• South Arm Highway/Acton Road Intersection Upgrade: late 2024.
• Pass Road to Oakdowns: from 2025.

Oakdowns to Acton Road: the Department of State Growth will monitor traffic flows to determine when the upgrade needs to be completed.

A map showing the planned South Arm Highway upgrade.

The upgrade is funded by the Australian Government and Tasmanian Government, with funding to start building the upgrade available from 2025.

What days and times will you collect information?

We are collecting information during October and November 2023, Mondays to Fridays, between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm.

Where will you be collecting information?

We are collecting information from on and near the roads. If we need to gather any information on private properties, we will contact owners in advance to discuss the projects and any requirements.

Will there be any road delays while you collect information?

To ensure everyone’s safety there may be reduced speed limits and lane closures while we collect information. Please allow for delays of up to 15 minutes during working hours.

Why is this project needed?

We studied the road and transport needs between Pass Road and Acton Road in 2020. The City of Clarence, Metro Tasmania and the Department of Education, Children and Young People helped with our study.

This showed we need to upgrade the road to support traffic growth, help make travel times more predictable, and improve safety.

What space is needed for upgrading the South Arm Highway from Pass Road to Acton Road?

Initial planning shows us that we can fit two new lanes in the existing space next to the road from Pass Road to Bayview Secondary College.

There is not enough room to widen the road from two to four lanes through the Rokeby commercial area without impacting on businesses and property access, so we are investigating building a new section of road south-west of South Arm Road, between Bayview Secondary College and Horsham Road.

We will also be taking measurements between Oakdowns Parade and Acton Road to help us work out how we might fit extra lanes in this area.

Will upgrading the South Arm Highway or the Acton Road intersection impact my property?

We need to gather more information to help prepare initial designs. Once we have developed a design, we will consult further with any property owners.

I have a proclaimed road corridor on my property title. What does this mean?

The department sometimes sets aside land for future road developments. These are called Proclamation Plans. This is noted on a property’s title. Title searches can be done before or after buying property.

Land to support a new road from Rokeby to Lauderdale was set aside in 1994. The department can purchase property in a proclaimed road corridor.

Proclaimed road corridors can also be removed if planning studies identify that they are no longer needed.

What does upgrading the road mean for Bayview Secondary College?

Initial planning shows us that we can fit the two new lanes in the existing space next to the road from Pass Road to Bayview Secondary College.

This allows the college and the City of Clarence to continue developing their sports precinct master plan.

What will the speed limit be once the highway is upgraded from Pass Road in Rokeby to Acton Road in Lauderdale?

The speed limit currently varies along the highway. During the design process we’ll assess what speeds can be safely achieved.

What is the school zone speed on South Arm Road near Lauderdale Primary School and where does it apply?

South Arm Road, near Lauderdale Primary School, is subject to a school zone.

This means that road users travelling in this location on school days between 7:00 am and 9:00 am and 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm are expected to travel at 40 km per hour.

There are two solar-operated, digital signs placed before and after the school in the road verges of the closest lane.

Please note that a school zone speed limit also applies on Acton Road near the Lauderdale Primary School.

Why is the speed limit from the Acton Road junction to the service station near Dona Road 60 kph?

In September 2023, the Commissioner for Transport approved a speed reduction in this location based on the characteristics of the road, the amount of traffic moving in and out of businesses on the eastern side, the volume of through traffic, and community requests.

This was supported by the Tasmanian Speed Zoning Guidelines.