Sunday drive in slow lane

Roadworks cause lengthy delays on key Hobart arterial

DELAYS of more than an hour related to roadworks on one of Hobart’s main arterial roads had drivers hopping mad on Sunday.

People travelling south out of the city faced delays for most of the day on Davey St.

The unusually long delays for a Sunday were due to road works between Murray St and the Southern Outlet from

JESSICA HOWARD

10am to 6pm. There was a reduced speed limit with frequent lane closures.

Drivers stuck in the traffic jam reported delays of over an hour.

Online comments from Mercury readers included that there was insufficient signage to warn drivers two lanes were closed.

One reader said it took them one hour and 40 minutes to travel from Bellerive to St

John’s Hospital in South Hobart

Another reported it took them 50 minutes to travel the length of Davey St.

Night works were carried out on the same stretch of road on Thursday and Friday from 7pm to 6am, according to the list of roadworks on the State Growth Department’s website.

The purpose of the works was listed as “road investigations”.

RACT chief member experience officer Stacey Pennicott called for clearer communication about the impact of roadworks.

“Obviously roadworks need to occur from time to time. It can be very frustrating, especially when it affects one of Tasmania’s busiest roads. We would encourage the government to improve the way it communicates with people. If the community has as much warning as possible it may help avoid traffic gridlock like we witnessed today,” Ms Pennicott said.

A state government spokeswoman said the Department of State Growth used a variety of methods to alert the community about roadworks.

“(This) can include media releases and other communications such as weekly emails, website updates and social media. We understand roadworks can be frustrating for road users but they are vital for road safety improvements. All attempts are made to ensure roadworks are undertaken at times that will minimise impact, such as nights and weekends,” the spokeswoman said.

The state government took control of Davey and Macquarie streets from the Hobart City Council in early 2019 under a plan to address the city’s traffic problems.