Illawarra Road Upgrades
About the project
The Tasmanian Government is upgrading this key freight link between Hobart, northern Tasmania, and northwest Tasmania to improve safety, productivity, and efficiency. These upgrades will also provide better connections between agricultural regions, ports, airports, and other transport hubs.
The stage 2b works will be completed next and involve plans for an overtaking lane when travelling south, and slow vehicle turn-out areas. Flexible wire rope barriers will be installed with turning facilities added at key locations.
Key stages of this project include:
* Stage 1: Longford roundabout to Bishopsbourne Road (completed)
* Stage 2a: Bishopsbourne Road to Meander Valley Council municipal boundary
* Stage 2b: located between the Bass Highway, and the municipal boundary of Meander Valley and Northern Midlands Councils
* Stage 3: Pateena Road to the Bridge over the South Esk River.
Stage 2b upgrades located between the municipal boundary of Northern Midlands and Meander Valley Councils, and the Bass Highway are proposed to be completed next.
2Community consultation
We have been engaging with landowners who will be impacted by the works. We also asked for feedback from the broader public.
The public consultation process ran from Monday, 17 July until Monday, 31 July 2023. Information about the project was on display at the Meander Valley Council Chambers and the Northern Midlands Council Chambers.
This feedback gained from the consultation will help the project team to finalise project plans, ensuring they reflect the needs of the local community.
3FAQs
Is this the only part of Illawarra Road to be upgraded?
The Illawarra Road project involves upgrading the entire length of the road between the Pateena Road junction and the Bass Highway.
Stage 1, from the Longford roundabout to Bishopsbourne Road, has been completed.
Stage 2b, this stage is currently being designed.
Stage 2a from Bishopsbourne Road to the municipal boundary with Meander Valley Council is still being progressed, as is Stage 3 from the Pateena Road junction to the bridges crossing the South Esk River.
Will there be land acquisition?
This stage of the project does require some small areas of land acquisition. The department has been working closely with landowners about this acquisition since 2021.
4Timing
Project works for Stage 2b are expected to commence in late 2023/early2024.
5Funding
The project is jointly funded by the Tasmanian and Australian Government.
Accessibility
If you would like to find out more information and you have accessibility requirements, please contact the project engagement consultant, 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, please contact our stakeholder engagement consultant, Caroline Lindus, on (03) 6165 0443 or illawarraroadupgrade@stategrowth.tas.gov.au