Johnston Road reconstruction to get underway

Published on 12 November 2025

The City of Launceston is undertaking a $1.3m reconstruction of Johnston Road, between Station Road and St Leonards Road.

The project is being funded by the Australian Government's Roads to Recovery program and delivered by the City of Launceston.

It will involve a reconstruction method called Foamed Bitumen Stabilisation, which recycles existing road material into a new road base. Foamed bitumen is made by mixing hot bitumen with cold water, creating an expanding foam material.

This foamed bitumen is then mixed with the existing road base to form a strong and stable road base on which new surface asphalt can be applied. The reconstruction of Johnston Road will take place in three stages and will involve both day and night works.

The road is expected to remain open to traffic at all times, with a reduced speed limit in place and alternating lane closures designed to minimise traffic disruption.

Works will begin on Sunday November 23, and are expected to be complete before Christmas, weather depending. Night works will occur from Monday November 24 through to November 29.

City of Launceston Acting Mayor Hugh McKenzie said Johnston Road was a vital transport link between the city's eastern suburbs and growing communities in St Leonards and Waverley.

"This is a cost-effective, environmentally responsible and fast method of reconstructing a road," Cr McKenzie said.

"One of the goals outlined in our Strategic Plan is to target investments like this to support key road infrastructure across our municipality.

"The City of Launceston is grateful to the Australian Government's Roads to Recovery program, which is making this important project possible."