Rocky Gully upgrades incoming

• Sites one and four have been selected for upgrades.

February 08, 2023

By Daisy Baker 

Tenders are currently being reviewed for long-awaited upgrades to the Billycock and Rocky Gully as part of a $4 million Dorset Roads package election commitment from 2018.

The state government sought community feedback last year on six possible sites for passing lanes and improvements.

Based on feedback, the selected passing opportunities include one eastbound slow vehicle lane near Rocky Gully and one westbound slow vehicle lane near Rocky Gully and Billycock Hill. 

Construction is planned to start in the first half of the year.

Minister for Transport Michael Ferguson said the project will improve road safety and travel time reliability between Scottsdale and Branxholm.

"The project represents a further investment in road infrastructure in Tasmania’s North-East, benefitting residents and businesses, and the visitor economy," he said.

Consultation also highlighted that upgrades to the Legerwood Junction are considered overdue by community members, but a lower priority overall.

This will be addressed in the upgrades if the budget allows, or earmarked for future budgets along with intersection safety at the Ten Mile Track and Tasman Highway junction.

Dorset Mayor Greg Howard said the sooner the Rocky Gully and Billycock improvements get underway, the better.

“Passing opportunities on that road would make a huge difference to normal road users especially given the high number of road users there are on that road,” he said.

“People at the moment in a hurry are passing at inappropriate areas and are probably breaking the law at times, crossing double white lines.

“Most truck drivers to their credit pull off the road where it allows to let traffic through but not too many spaces allow for that.”

With the tenders still under review, it is unclear when the upgrades will be complete.