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Tasmanian transport gets state Budget upgrade

Hidding to oversee ongoing improvements to freight-sensitive links

 

Tasmanian infrastructure minister Rene Hidding is a winner from this week’s state Budget, with transport funding up $40.7 million on last year.

Roads and rail cash at $247.7 million equates with 46.4 per cent of the total infrastructure spend.

Over the forward estimates to 2019-20, $656 million will be spent on roads and bridges.

Funding of $62.3 million, two-thirds of it federal money, for rail infrastructure has been allocated in 2016-17 for Tasmanian Railway Pty Ltd with total rail funding over the Budget and forward estimates period of $114.8 million.

Significant roads and rail funding in 2016-17 includes:

  • continuation of $6.4 million works on the Brooker Highway, Elwick, Goodwood and Howard Roads intersections
  • continuation of $20 million works on the Midland Highway
  • continuation of $13 million construction works on Esk Main Road
  • start of construction on the $4 million Highland Lakes Road
  • start of construction of the $4.4 million Huon Highway/Summerleas Road intersections;
  • start of construction on the $8 million Murchison Highway
  • ongoing $7.3 million yearly road and bridge maintenance
  • continuation of the Tasmanian Freight Rail Revitalisation Program.

Canberra’s Land Transport Infrastructure Investment Program will contribute $233.4 million for roads over three years with an estimated provision for future funding of $60 million included in 2019-20.

“As a result of the hard decisions we made upon coming to government, the state is now back on track and we are able to reinvest the dividends into essential infrastructure projects,” Hidding says. 

“The 2016-17 Budget includes funding for $1.8 billion in infrastructure projects that touch all regions of the State and drive economic growth and create jobs.”

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