About the project
The Tasmanian Government is upgrading this key freight link between Hobart, northern Tasmania, and northwest Tasmania to improve safety, productivity, and efficiency. These upgrades will also provide better connections between agricultural regions, ports, airports, and other transport hubs.
The project involves upgrading the length of Illawarra Road between the Bass Highway in the north, to Perth Link in the south.
Key stages of this project include:
- Stage 1: Longford roundabout to Bishopsbourne Road (completed February 2023)
- Stage 2a: Bishopsbourne Road to Meander Valley Council municipal boundary
- Stage 2b: located between the Bass Highway, and the municipal boundary of Meander Valley and Northern Midlands Councils
- Stage 3: Pateena Road to the Bridge over the South Esk River.
- Longford Road roundabout – construction of a new retaining wall and pavement replacement at the roundabout will be completed as part of the Stage 3 works.
The stage 2b works will be completed next and involve plans for an overtaking lane when travelling south, and slow vehicle turn-out areas. Flexible wire rope barriers will be installed with turning facilities added at key locations.
Community consultation is now complete. Thank you to everyone who shared feedback.
Community consultation
Stage 2a and Stage 3
We have been consulting with landowners and the local community since January 2021.
Public consultation for Stage 2a and Stage 3 was open from Monday, 18 November 2024 to Monday, 16 December 2024, and is now complete.
Thank you to everyone who shared feedback with us.
- Download the proposed designs here:
For further information about this project, please contact our Stakeholder Engagement Consultant on (03) 6165 0443 or illawarraroadupgrade@stategrowth.tas.gov.au
Stage 2b
The public consultation process for Stage 2b ran from Monday, 17 July until Monday, 31 July 2023. Information about the project was on display at the Meander Valley Council Chambers and the Northern Midlands Council Chambers.
Feedback gained from the consultation helped to inform final designs, ensuring they reflect the needs of the local community.
Stage 2b will be completed next.
FAQs
What is the upgrade project?
The Australian and Tasmanian Governments have committed to upgrading the length of Illawarra Road between Bass Highway in the north, to Perth Link in the south.
The project will provide better connections between tourism, mining and agricultural regions and ports, airports and other transport hubs. It will improve travel time reliability and improve safety for all road users.
What are the project benefits?
Upgrades to Illawarra Road will improve safety, productivity and efficiency on this key freight link, providing better connections between agricultural regions, ports, airports and other transport hubs.
The project will achieve improved accessibility and connectivity of the freight network.
The project will also support increases in traffic from a growing population in Longford, and increases in heavy vehicle movements from surrounding businesses.
How is the project being delivered?
The project is being delivered in stages.
Stage 1: Longford roundabout to Bishopsbourne Road (completed February 2023)
Stage 2a: Bishopsbourne Road to Meander Valley Council municipal boundary
Stage 2b: located between the Bass Highway, and the municipal boundary of Meander Valley and Northern Midlands Councils
Stage 3: Pateena Road to the Bridge over the South Esk River.
Longford Road roundabout – construction of a new retaining wall and pavement replacement at the roundabout will be completed as part of the Stage 3 works.
What will the upgrades include?
The work for Stage 2a will include:
- road widening to allow for the installation of flexible safety barriers
- upgrading some existing access points along the road corridor to improve safety
- dedicated turning areas to enable vehicles to turn around on the highway
- an overtaking lane north bound to the Bass Highway.
The upgrade for Stage 3 will include:
- road widening between Pateena Road and the bridge over the South Esk River
- installing flexible safety barriers in the middle of the road
- strengthening the existing bridges
- closing some access points along the road that are no longer needed
- a shared user path, which extends the existing pathway from Pateena Road towards Longford. This pathway extension will provide an additional 1.25 kilometres of separated and safe walking, wheeling and riding opportunities.
Is the project funded?
The project is jointly funded by the Australian and Tasmanian Governments.
Will the upgrades require land acquisition or have impacts upon private properties?
Yes. The upgrade will result in some land acquisition, and we are having ongoing discussions with the impacted landowners.
Will the speed limit be reduced?
At this stage the department has no plans for any further speed limit reductions on Illawarra Rd. However, during construction there may be speed reductions and other traffic impacts.
Are these the final designs?
This design has been proposed following extensive community engagement and consideration of engineering, planning and heritage matters. The design will now be available for broader community engagement. Any feedback from this process will be considered during the design development process.
When will work commence?
It is anticipated that work for these sections of Illawarra Road will commence in 2025.
How will construction activities affect you?
There will be road works that may result in some traffic delays. Road closures may be required and there will be the closure of some private access driveways. More details will be provided closer to the start of the construction by the successful contractor.
How can I get more information?
If you would like more information or to provide feedback, you can contact the project team on 6165 0443 or by email at illawarraroadupgrade@stategrowth.tas.gov.au.
Timing
Project works for Stage 2b are expected to start in early 2025.
More information on the timing for Stage 2a and 3 will be provided after public consultation has closed.
Funding
The project is jointly funded by the Tasmanian and Australian Government.
Accessibility
If you would like to find out more information and you have accessibility requirements, please contact the project engagement consultant, details below.
You can find out more about Transport Services' commitment to accessibility.
Contact
For further information, please contact our stakeholder engagement consultant, Caroline Lindus, on (03) 6165 0443 or illawarraroadupgrade@stategrowth.tas.gov.au