*Pic: Toby Rowallan on TT wrote of this idea HERE … but Rene Hidding says: “Major transport infrastructure concepts such as northern suburbs light rail, bypasses and tunnels are long-term aspirations and will not solve the immediate congestion issue.”
It is undeniable that Hobart’s road-users are now regularly experiencing serious traffic congestion events. This is disrupting work and family life for many Tasmanians and affecting the productivity of our economy.
The Hodgman Liberal Government is committed to cleaning up this mess, but this cannot be fixed overnight and it will require the goodwill of all stakeholders and the continued patience of commuters.
Major transport infrastructure concepts such as northern suburbs light rail, bypasses and tunnels are long-term aspirations and will not solve the immediate congestion issue.
We are taking the following immediate actions:
• We have implemented a dedicated Congestion Management Team headed by respected Hobart traffic engineer Keith Midson and drawing on the expertise of interstate traffic IT experts to audit and optimise Hobart’s traffic management system, which controls our traffic lights.
• I will be receiving a detailed analysis of Greater Hobart traffic data from my Department including an examination of hot spot intersections around Hobart that add to these congestion events.
• Following my recent meetings with all relevant southern Tasmanian councils I will now convene a summit with them to advance a formal protocol governing the efficient traffic management of Greater Hobart.
• As part of this, I am considering the transfer of the responsibility for the critical CBD couplet of Davey and Macquarie Streets from Hobart City Council to the State Government and we will advance discussions on that at the summit.
I am confident that these short-term measures will lead to practical improvements to the unacceptable traffic conditions now being regularly experienced in Hobart’s CBD.
They will form the basis for a longer-term, effective road network plan for Southern Tasmania.
There is no doubt that the booming southern Tasmanian economy is playing a role in the congestion, including significant civil construction projects in and around the Hobart CBD.
The Hodgman Government will get on with the job of making practical, affordable changes for the benefit of southern Tasmanian road users.
