Hobart feels traffic pinch

Minor problem equals major chaos

IMMEDIATE action is needed to address Hobart’s traffic chaos which can be triggered by “just one minor problem”, the state’s peak motoring body says. Hobart’s streets were in gridlock during parts of yesterday morning, with the return of school, multiple vehicle crashes and wet weather all likely contributors. Hobart resident Maxine Barker took to Facebook expressing her traffic frustrations, saying it took her 45 minutes to drive from the Derwent Entertainment Centre to Elizabeth St Pier. Another resident said he spent 20 minutes queued to enter a multistorey CBD carpark. RACT executive general manager, membership and community, Stacey Pennicott said no definitive action had been taken to address Hobart’s traffic problem since RACT’s 30-year greater Hobart plan was released last year. “While we have seen funding and planning into some priority actions we called for, such as enforcement of clearways on Macquarie and Davey streets, a lot more is needed to reduce congestion and increase active and public transport uptake,” she said. “We have seen that just one minor problem can flow through and create traffic congestion chaos.” Labor Infrastructure spokesman Shane Broad said Tasmanians were becoming fed up with traffic woes. “People stuck in cars and on buses on Tuesday morning have Peter Gutwein and the Liberals to thank for delays and traffic chaos,” Dr Broad said. “We desperately need to see a long-term vision for Hobart’s transport and infrastructure needs, with a plan and the funding to deliver it.” He said there has been no vision for greater Hobart’s roads and public transport networks since 2015, with no action on light rail, an underground bus mall, Derwent River ferries, a fifth lane on the Southern Outlet or the Hobart airport roundabout. Sydney firm WSP Australia last year won a $1.09 million contract as part of the Hobart Transport Vision to progress solutions on the city’s traffic congestion. Infrastructure Minister Michael Ferguson said “the Government was working hard to reduce traffic congestion in the CBD and on key feeder routes”. “This includes an extension of tow truck hours to run all day on the Tasman Bridge and tow-away signs being installed on Macquarie St,” he said. “Clearways on Macquarie St will be extended by an hour each morning to start from 6.30am. “Work is also already under way on progressing Hobart’s new Southern Outlet transit lane and the Kingborough Park and Ride.”