MEDIA RELEASE

The Hon Anthony Albanese MP

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport,
Regional Development and Local Government

The Australian Coat of Arms

13 May 2008
BUDGET-INFRA 07/2008

$104 MILLION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE FOR TASMANIA

The Rudd Government will invest $103.8 million in nation-building road and rail projects in Tasmania-including $19 million to make an early start on election commitments.

Urgent action is needed to fix Australia's over-stretched transport networks and to build infrastructure to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

That's why we're getting a head start now on $19.4 million worth of projects that weren't due to commence in Tasmania until 2009-10, as well as delivering projects to upgrade interstate transport networks and critical freight corridors.

Tasmania's budget infrastructure package will deliver on our election commitments, tackle major bottlenecks and help make our roads safer.

Our $19.4 million to make an early start on election commitments includes:

  • $10.8 million towards a total cost of $14.0 million to upgrade the Bridgewater Bridge, fix structural deficiencies and repair its lifting function;

  • $4.5 million to upgrade safety on the Midland Highway, including improvements at Constitution Hill and audible line edging along the road between Hobart and Launceston;

  • $1.6 million to plan the Pontville-Bagdad bypass and new Bridgewater Bridge;

  • $1.1 million for detailed design of the Kingston Bypass as part of the Government's $15 million contribution to the project;

  • $1 million for Tebrakunna Bridge construction works as part of a North East Freight Roads package; and

  • $0.5 million for road corridor surveys and environmental and heritage studies for the Brighton bypass and the upgrade of the East Derwent Highway.

Overall infrastructure funding for Tasmania in 2008-09 includes:

  • $52.0 million for construction and maintenance on Tasmania's 846 kilometres of road as part of the National Land Transport Network;

  • $7.9 million for eight AusLink Strategic Regional projects promoting regional development;

  • $11.1 million for local roads under the Roads to Recovery Program, which is in addition to the $30.6 million allocated to local roads under Federal Financial Assistance Grants; and

  • $1.2 million to eliminate 15 road safety 'black spots'.

The Government will continue to implement its land transport infrastructure election commitments from 2009-10 to 2013-14 with timing and specific funding arrangements to be negotiated with the states and territories during 2008.

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Media Contacts

Jeff Singleton ( Mr Albanese's Office ) 0410 476 890

 

URL: http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/aa/releases/2008/May/budget-infra_07-2008.htm