Commuters thanked for patience as Southern Outlet transit lane construction heads to next stage

The next stage of a fifth lane on the Southern Outlet may not be finished until late next year, while a timeframe for the project’s overall completion is still dependent on final design work.

The state government says work on the fifth lane of the Southern Outlet is going well.

The next stage of a congestion-busting fifth lane on Hobart’s Southern Outlet may not be finished until late next year, the state government has revealed, with a timeframe for the project’s overall completion still dependent on final design work and the appointment of contractors.

With Tasmanian Minister for Infrastructure, Kerry Vincent, on Thursday officially opening a key road upgrade that will link the proposed Southern Outlet Transit Lane to the existing Macquarie St clearway, the government said the job of protecting a 400m stretch of rock face near the OIinda Grove on-ramp would begin later this year, and take 12 month to complete.

A spokesperson said construction on the final stage of the Southern Outlet Transit Lane could begin only after the rock-face protection work was completed, and once a construction partner was selected through a tender process.

State Budget 2023. Heavy traffic in bound to Hobart on the Southern Outlet with a fifth lane proposed. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The state government is spending $200m to install a fifth transit lane on the Southern Outlet, on the left-hand side of the inbound approach to the CBD.

The section opened by Minister Vincent - called the Transit Lane Connector - is an extra lane between Davey and Macquarie Streets, which is now open to traffic.

Once the entire project is completed, the Transit Lane will stretch from Olinda Grove down to Macquarie St, and operate as a T3 thoroughfare to be used by private vehicles carrying three or more people, as well as buses, taxis, and motorcycles.

While all vehicles will be able to travel for up to 100m in the Transit Lane to enter or leave the road – including turning left into Davey and Macquarie Streets at the bottom of the Outlet - penalties will apply for those drivers who use the lane unlawfully.

A government spokesperson said Transit Lane rules would be enforced by police, with those caught driving illegally in the new thoroughfare facing a fine of up to five penalty units, consistent with current laws.

Hobart, Tasman Bridge, Southern Outlet. Picture: Chris Kidd

Currently, the value of one penalty unit in Tasmania is $202.

In NSW, the penalty for using a T2 or T3 transit lane unlawfully is $410 and the deduction of one demerit point, while Victorian drivers face a $198 fine for similar infringements.

The Tasmanian government said it was still working on a design for the Southern Outlet Transit Lane, with construction to begin after the rock face stage is completed.

“We look forward to sharing the continued progress of the Southern Projects program as we deliver better solutions for public transport and carpooling between the CBD and Hobart’s southern suburbs,” Minister Vincent said.

“We thank members of the public for their ongoing patience and understanding throughout each of these important projects.”

Originally published as Commuters thanked for patience as Southern Outlet transit lane construction heads to next stage