The Mowbray Connector and East Tamar Highway junction has previously been the topic of heated debate among the Launceston community, with 10 crashes at the site over the past five years, including a double fatality early last year.

Announcing the funding on Sunday, Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding said it was “an expensive job but worth doing”.

“While reducing serious crashes is our major objective, in line with our goal of no deaths or serious injuries on our roads, this upgrade should also improve traffic flow,” he said.

Both a roundabout and traffic lights have been proposed for the intersection, however, Mr Hidding said a roundabout was the “likely outcome”.

The announcement was welcomed by Launceston Alderman Robin McKendrick, who has been pushing the issue for more than a year.

“This is one of the most dangerous intersections in the city and if you travel out here (on the highway) … it is death waiting to happen,” he said.

Road Safety Advisory Council chair Jim Cox also praised the initiative. 

“It’s an intersection that has been controversial for quite a while and it’s great to see the government come up with the funds to address the issue,” he said.

A final design plan is expected within the next month or two and the works could be completed by the end of 2018.