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
Community consultation is now complete. Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts.
Tasman Highway
View the plans to upgrade the Tasman Highway. This option includes road-widening, curve realignments, passing bays, slow-vehicle turnouts, safety barriers and embankment stabilisation.
Sideling Lookout to St Patricks River
Minstone Road to Sideling Lookout
Corkerys Road
Our preferred option is an upgrade of the existing Tasman Highway route (plans above) due to steep grades, difficult geometry and geotechnical uncertainties of the Corkery’s Road route, which would also require a new bridge of the St Patricks River.
These concerns would also likely result in costs that would exceed the project’s budget and mean limitations for heavy vehicle usage.
The Corkery’s Road option also presents potential federal environment impacts that are as-yet unknown, but could result in significant delays.
While the Tasman Highway upgrade is our preferred option, we welcome feedback and questions on Corkerys Road during our consultation.
Next steps
We have completed the section from Sideling Lookout to Whish Wilson Road, and we are now ready to upgrade the remaining sections of the Sideling, between St Patricks River and Minstone Road, 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 late 2025.
Click play on the video below to find out about previously completed work.
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