Sideling project step closer
• Top of the Sideling upgrading a step closer. Photo: Cowirrie.
By Tony Scott,
MAY 05, 2021
The proposal to rebuild the Sideling section of the Tasman Highway is one step closer after a commitment from the Liberal party in the final days of the State election campaign.
The statewide $416.5 million promise over seven years included a $14 million allocation for the Sideling project.
That adds to $10 million committed by the State in 2018 and $40 million already promised by the Federal Government.
The project is to be funded 80-20 by the Commonwealth and State treasuries.
But it still requires a further Federal allocation of $56 million to make up the whole $120 million the job is expected to cost.
Announcing the State’s commitment, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson said the record spend was about improving safety and travel times reliability.
"A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will make a strong case to the Australian Government for further funding to expand the program of upgrades on the Sideling, taking the existing commitment from $50 million to $120 million in total.
“Stage one is currently undergoing planning, with construction expected to start in 2022.
“If we are successful in securing further Australian Government funding, this will extend the program to provide a five-year program of upgrades."
Dorset Mayor Greg Howard said the full $120 million will build a new road from Scottsdale to St Patricks River with a completely new alignment over the most notorious section of the Sideling.
“We want to come off the existing roadway around Corkery’s Road, but take a different route crossing the river north of the present Corkery’s Road bridge and then a straight line up a ridge to Weelaty Road.
The council has argued the upgraded highway is needed to reduce travel times for freight generated throughout the North-East and bound for south of Launceston.
Councillor Howard said there may even be enough in the $120 million estimation to provide for some work on the Launceston end of the route, like improving Abels Hill Road and access to the Midland Highway from the east.