Tasmania - Major Construction Projects

The purpose of this page is to illustrate construction progress on a variety of major projects which are underway in Tasmania. It will be updated periodically as new photos are submitted.

Projects:

• East Tamar Highway, Dilston Bypass (complete)
• Leven River Bridge, Ulverstone (complete)
• Midland Highway, Brighton Bypass

East Tamar Highway, Dilston Bypass (complete)

Project Information: http://www.transport.tas.gov.au/infrastructure_projects/east_tamar_highway_-_dilston_bypass

As part of a package of works on the East Tamar Highway, funded by the Federal Government, a bypass of a 10km section of the highway at Dilston is being constructed. The existing highway contains a number of steep grades, curves and a section with reduced speed and local traffic conflicts through the village of Dilston.

During the winter months there is significant morning fog in this area and many locals expressed concern about being forced to turn right across high-speed traffic to access Launceston during periods of heavy fog. Following protracted negotiations, the design of the southern intersection was amended to include a grade-separated underpass for traffic from Dilston to access the southbound East Tamar Highway.

Construction was commenced in 2010 and the bypass was officially opened on 7 June 2011.

Photos - April 2011

	Looking north down Landfall Hill, towards the new bridges over Barnards Creek, just north of the George Town Rd (B81) interchange, 9km north of Launceston. Source: Peter Renshaw, April 2011.
	Southerly view across the new bridges over Barnards Creek. Source: Peter Renshaw, April 2011.
	Looking north, just north of Barnards Creek, showing the split between the old (left) and new (right) alignments. Source: Peter Renshaw, April 2011.
	A northerly view over the intersection at the southern end of the Dilston Bypass. You can just make out the line of streetlights which marks the southbound on-ramp. Source: Peter Renshaw, April 2011.
	A south-easterly view from the existing highway towards the new southern intersection. Note that right turns onto the East Tamar Hwy are not permitted at-grade; an underpass is provided just out of sight to the left. Source: Peter Renshaw, April 2011.
	Looking south through the near-completed northern intersection of the old and new alignments, 4km north of Dilston. Source: Peter Renshaw, April 2011.
	Brand new fingerboard sign facing traffic turning south onto the new highway at the northern intersection. Source: Peter Renshaw, April 2011.
	Looking south along East Tamar Hwy at the northern end of the bypass, showing the split between the old (right) and new (left) alignments. Source: Peter Renshaw, April 2011.

Leven River Bridge, Ulverstone (complete)

Project Information: http://www.transport.tas.gov.au/infrastructure_projects/leven_river_bridge

The existing bridge carrying Hobbs Parade (C142) across the Leven River at Ulverstone is nearing the end of its operational life and is being replaced by a new concrete structure on a curved alignment, adjacent to the existing bridge.

Construction of the new bridge commenced in March 2010 and was opened to traffic in July 2011. An official opening took place on 26 March 2012.

Photos - April 2011

	Looking north-west across the intersection of Kings Pde (B17/C142) & Hobbs Pde (C142), showing construction of the new bridge underway. Source: Peter Renshaw, April 2011.
	A northerly view from the Anzac Park foreshore, showing construction of the new bridge well underway. Source: Peter Renshaw, April 2011.

Midland Highway, Brighton Bypass

Project Information: http://www.transport.tas.gov.au/infrastructure_projects/brighton_transport_projects/brighton_bypass

The Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources (DIER) is constructing a bypass to the east of Brighton and Pontville on the Midland Highway, 22km to 29km north of Hobart. The first stage, at the southern end of the bypass, was opened to traffic in December 2010. The remainder was held up by indigenous heritage issues in the vicinity of the Jordan River bridge site. Completion is now expected for the second half of 2012.

Photos - May 2012

	AD sign northbound on the Brighton Bypass, approaching the roundabout at the northern end. Source: Peter Renshaw, May 2012.
	Looking south from the northern end of the bypass, with a brand new RD sign. Source: Peter Renshaw, May 2012.
	Small cutting as the bypass turns towards the south, approximately 400m east of Midland Highway. Source: Peter Renshaw, May 2012.
	Looking south towards the beginning of the divided carriageway approximately 1km south of Midland Highway. The bypass crosses Rifle Range Road as it swings to the left in the distance. Source: Peter Renshaw, May 2012.
	Looking south at the beginning of the divided carriageway at Rifle Range Road. Source: Peter Renshaw, May 2012.
	Southbound AD sign for the Tea Tree Road (C321) interchange at Brighton. Source: Peter Renshaw, May 2012.
	Supplementary tourist attraction AD signs southbound approaching Tea Tree Road (C321) interchange. Source: Peter Renshaw, May 2012. .
	Secondary AD sign southbound approaching Tea Tree Road (C321) interchange at Brighton. Source: Peter Renshaw, May 2012.
	ID sign at the Tea Tree Road (C321) interchange. Source: Peter Renshaw, May 2012.
	AD sign on the southbound off-ramp to Tea Tree Road (C321) at Brighton. Source: Peter Renshaw, May 2012.
	Looking north from the northbound on-ramp at Tea Tree Road (C321). Source: Peter Renshaw, May 2012.
	Northbound RD sign on the bypass after the Tea Tree Road (C321) interchange. Source: Peter Renshaw, May 2012.

Photos - October 2012

In mid October, signage and line marking was installed at the roundabout at the northern end of the bypass. An opening can't be too far away now!

	Brand new RD sign northbound on Midland Highway after the roundabout at the northern end of the project. Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2012.
	Diagrammatic 'bypassed town' AD sign southbound on Midland Highway approaching the northern end of the bypass. Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2012.
	Standard roundabout AD sign southbound, complete with exposed C195 route marker. Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2012.
	Standard roundabout AD sign northbound on the soon-to-be-former-Midland-Highway (Brighton Road) approaching the roundabout. Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2012.
	C195 ID sign at the roundabout. I wonder why this one was covered? Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2012.
	A view west onto the Brighton Bypass, showing the line marking work which hasn't quite reached the roundabout yet. Source: Peter Renshaw, October 2012.