Margaret Street Reconstruction

STATUS: UPCOMING

About the project

Margaret Street has reached the end of its service life, with the existing road infrastructure no longer meeting current standards and community needs. The Margaret Street Reconstruction Project will renew and upgrade the street, enhancing safety, accessibility, functionality and overall appearance of the street, while ensuring it continues to meet the needs of the community, businesses and visitors for years to come.

The project supports key objectives within the City of Launceston Strategic Plan 2025-2035, Transport Strategy 2020-2040, and Urban Greening Strategy 2023-2040. These strategies guide Council’s commitment to delivering safe, accessible, sustainable, and high-quality streets and public spaces.

The upgrades to Margaret Street will enhance safety, improve accessibility and overall appearance and amenity of the corridor

The image is an artist's impression and is provided for illustrative purposes only. It is intended to convey the proposed concept, and final design details, landscaping and other features may differ from those shown.

Why is this project being undertaken?

Margaret Street is an important inner-city transport route within Launceston’s road network. The street and surrounding infrastructure are approaching the end of their service life and require full reconstruction.

The project provides an opportunity to replace ageing infrastructure and improve how the street functions for all users. This includes enhancing safety, improving accessibility, and upgrading the overall appearance and amenity of the corridor in alignment with Council's adopted Strategic Plan and objectives.

What will this project deliver?

The Margaret Street Reconstruction Project has been developed to deliver a range of upgrades, including:

Full structural reconstruction of the road pavement
Comprehensive streetscape improvements, including new street trees, upgraded lighting, and high-quality paved footpaths
A dedicated, separated bi-directional cycleway on the western side of Margaret Street for commuters and recreational users of all ages and abilities.
Traffic calming measures, including narrower travel lanes and streetscape treatments to support reduced vehicle speeds
New and upgraded pedestrian crossings, including raised crossings to improve pedestrian priority and safety
Improved place-making elements to encourage active use and a more vibrant street environment
Targeted design responses to address known road safety and crash history considerations.

Project delivery and timeline

The Margaret Street Reconstruction Project is proposed to be delivered in two stages:

Stage 1: Frankland Street to Frederick Street
Stage 2: Frederick Street to Paterson Street

Stage 1 is currently anticipated to commence during Summer 2026-2027, with Stage 2 planned for delivery in the 2027-2028 financial year.

The City of Launceston is currently undertaking consultation with residents, businesses, property owners and other stakeholders within the Stage 1 project area. Feedback received through this process will help inform the detailed design and delivery of the project. Consultation for Stage 2 will be undertaken closer to its planned delivery in the 2027–2028 financial year.

We will continue to provide updates throughout the planning process, with further information about construction timing and delivery made available as details are confirmed.

Milestone	Timing
Detailed design development - Stage 1	In progress
Stakeholder consultation - Stage 1	In progress
Tender for construction advertised - Stage 1	Late 2026
Construction contract awarded - Stage 1	Late 2026/ Early 2027
Stage 1 construction commences (Frankland Street to Frederick Street)	Late 2026/ Early 2027
Detailed design development - Stage 2	2027
Stakeholder consultation - Stage 2	2027
Construction contract awarded - Stage 2	2027
Stage 2 construction commences (Frederick Street to Paterson Street)	2027-28
Project complete	2028

Please note that all dates are indicative and subject to detailed design, procurement processes, approvals and weather conditions. The project timeline will be updated as the project progresses.