St Marys Pass Options Assessment
This assessment explored options to improve the connection between St Marys and the Tasman Highway.
We have released the findings St Marys Pass Options Assessment.
St Marys Pass Options Assessment Summary Report details the results of our investigations into improving the Esk Main Road connection between the St Marys township and the Tasman Highway.
Download the St Marys Pass Options Assessment Summary Report
About the project
The investigations assessed several options for improving the long-term resilience of the route, including maintaining the existing route, upgrading the existing route, and five alternative route options.
Each option was evaluated through detailed technical, environmental, and cost assessments, alongside extensive engagement with the community and key stakeholders, to better understand the benefits, challenges, and overall impacts.
The assessment found that all options face significant challenges due to the steep and mountainous landscapes and ongoing risks of landslides. Some options are unlikely to progress due to their high cost.
The findings of the report will be used to inform whether any options progress to further planning and design work, which would be required before any future construction takes place.
The community and other key stakeholders will have further opportunities to provide feedback if the project progresses to future stages and funding is acquired for construction
Route identification
We investigated seven options between St Marys to the East Coast.
Two of the options explore keeping the existing Esk Main Road at St Marys Pass with ongoing maintenance, or a ten-year phased upgrade of the existing route. The other five options explore alternative routes.
Download details on each route option below.
- Red Route - Upper Scamander
- Orange Route - Lower German Town Road Extension
- Blue Route - TasNetworks Power Line
- Yellow Route - Gillies Road Extension
- Green Route - Alternate Gillies Road Extension
- Purple Route - Maintain Existing Route plus 10 Year Upgrade
- Purple Route 2 - Maintain Existing Route
Project video
This video below gives a visualisation of the routes we have mentioned above.
Community consultation
Thank you to everyone who shared their feedback. You can view the Consultation and Feedback Findings Summary here.
Funding
The Australian Government committed $10 million in 2025 to improve the route’s resilience. The findings of the options assessment will help inform discussions with the Australian Government regarding the allocation of this funding and any future planning and design work.
Accessibility
For more information, please email: RoadsTas@building.tas.gov.au
Find out more about Transport Services' commitment to accessibility here.
Contact
For more information, please email: RoadsTas@building.tas.gov.au