Client: Department of State Growth
Commencement: 2023-2024
The Great Eastern Drive is Tasmania’s premier tourist route, spanning 175km of the Tasman Highway between Orford and St Helens. Much of the highway does not meet contemporary design standards including substandard geometry, narrow width, and few formal overtaking opportunities. To cater for increases in traffic volumes from tourists, commercial vehicles, and local traffic, JMG worked with the Department of State Growth (DSG) identifying the section of highway between the Coles Bay turnoff and Bicheno, and corners north of the Glen Gala overtaking lane, as high priority sections requiring safety improvements, as highlighted by high crash statistics and narrow road widths (less than 6m).
JMG were engaged to provide design from the concept stage through to detailed design, producing tender documentation as a complete package. The safety and network reliability improvements included; a 1.5km long overtaking lane, widening, realignment, vertical regrading, superelevation improvements, and pavement strengthening. Our design maximised the use of the existing alignment for cost effective outcomes.
JMG provided the deliverables as requested, and as per the program, with design costs to budget. JMG maintained a positive and collaborative relationship with DSG throughout the project.
The design has been positively embraced by the community and works are scheduled to commence late 2024.
Image: Road widening-Glen Gala overtaking lane (adjoining JMG design 2018).