Huon Valley residents are being called upon to review proposed safety upgrades for the Huon Highway-Mountain River Road intersection, with a committed $3 million drawing scrutiny when compared to the significantly larger allocation for a new pedestrian overpass in Kingston. While a reduced speed limit has been welcomed, the community continues to seek a more substantial investment for this critical junction.

For years, residents of the Huon Valley have cried out for meaningful safety upgrades at the Grove intersection. It’s a notorious black spot, a daily gauntlet for school children, commuters, and bus users, tragically punctuated by a recent incident where a teenager was severely injured.

Huon Valley Mayor Sally Doyle welcomed a newly approved speed limit reduction from 100km/h to 80km/h along a 2.3km stretch between Allens Road and Mountain River Road, acknowledging it as a much-needed improvement and a ‘first step’ towards avoiding another terrible incident.

But a ‘first step’ is hardly a solution when a comprehensive, long-term fix is desperately needed. The problem at Grove isn’t merely about speed; it’s about fundamentally flawed design, inadequate sightlines, and a blatant disregard for vulnerable road users. Calls for underpasses, overpasses, or truly re-engineered intersection layouts have been consistently made, only to fall on deaf ears.

The Tasmanian Government has earmarked $3 million for pedestrian and bus stop safety improvements at the Huon Highway and Mountain River Road intersection. This comes as a direct response to longstanding community concerns, amplified by a recent incident where a teenager was seriously injured after being struck by a vehicle.

However, the $3 million allocated for the Mountain River intersection is a figure that raises eyebrows when placed alongside other regional infrastructure projects. Just days after the announcement regarding the Mountain River consultation, Minister for Infrastructure, Kerry Vincent, confirmed a new pedestrian overpass connecting Huntingfield Park and Ride and Hollyhock Drive in Kingston.

This project has been locked-in with a $3.9 million allocation as part of the 2025-26 Budget. This Kingston overpass is described as a key part of the plan to improve safety and travel time along the Kingston Bypass and is intended to significantly improve safety for pedestrians, particularly for those accessing the Park and Ride.

The disparity in funding highlights a potential imbalance in infrastructure priorities.

Minister Vincent stated that the $3 million for Mountain River aims to fast-track improvements and that project designs have been prioritised.

Public consultation sessions are set to begin on Monday, May 26, offering residents the chance to provide feedback on these design options.

The upcoming consultation provides a crucial opportunity for Huon Valley residents to articulate their concerns about the sufficiency of the $3 million investment and advocate for a solution that truly reflects the intersection’s importance and the depth of community safety concerns.

Residents are strongly encouraged to attend the community feedback sessions to provide their input:

  • Tuesday, May 27, 2025 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Mountain River Hall
  • Wednesday, May 28, 2025 from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Huonville Library
  • Saturday, June 14, 2025 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Huonville Library

Designs are now available online via the Transport Tasmania website. This consultation period offers the Huon Valley community a vital platform to push for a more equitable and robust investment in the safety of the Mountain River intersection.

 

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