A contract for the construction of the $41.5 million Kingston Bypass has been awarded and the contract was signed today.

The successful tenderer was Tasmanian-based VEC Civil Engineering Pty Ltd.

The project is being jointly funded, with the Tasmanian Government contributing $26.5 million and the Australian Government $15 million.

The Tasmanian Minister for Infrastructure, Graeme Sturges, said that he was delighted that a Tasmanian company had been awarded the contract for such an important project.

“The bypass will improve traffic flow as well as address the safety issues that have been raised both by the Kingborough Council and broader community,” he said.

“It will also facilitate several future developments in the area, including the further expansion of a Catholic secondary school, housing development at Huntingfield, the relocation of Kingston High School and the Kingborough Sports Centre expansion.

“We have responded to community expectations by incorporating an emphasis on pedestrian networks and dedicated cycle lanes at the new Algona Road roundabout.

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said that the project was what the Australian Government’s Nation Building for Recovery strategy was all about.

“The existing Channel Highway carries up to 18,000 vehicles a day, causing traffic congestion and safety issues through suburban Kingston,” he said.

“When finished, the bypass will ease congestion in and around Kingston, and give motorists a quicker, safer trip.”

The 2.8 kilometre Kingston Bypass will leave the existing Channel Highway near the Kingston High School before passing under Summerleas Road and rejoining the highway in the vicinity of the existing Algona Main Road roundabout. A major new roundabout will be built at the Algona Main Rd/Huntingfield Ave junction.