Hobart’s worst roundabout to get $100m revamp

Traffic flow and safety will both be improved as the federal and state government combine to fix one of the worst traffic blackspots in greater Hobart.

Minister for Infrastructure Kerry Vincent and member for Franklin Julie Collins at the Mornington Roundabout on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.

One of Hobart’s worst traffic blackspots will be completely revamped with a $100m upgrade funded by the federal and state governments.

Mornington Roundabout has long been regarded as one of Hobart’s most confusing and least safe roundabouts for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

But its days are numbered and it will be replaced by traffic lights as part of an extensive revamp to roads in the area.

Federal member for Franklin Julie Collins and state Infrastructure Minister Kerry Vincent inspected the roundabout on Wednesday.

They say the works will be carried out in stages over the coming years to minimise disruption.

Mornington roundabout on the Eastern Shore.

The project will begin with the construction of new ramps connecting the Tasman Highway with Gordons Hill Road to allow cars better access to Rosny from the highway while reducing traffic volumes at the Mornington roundabout.

Once finished, other improvements near the Mornington roundabout will begin including:

* Replacing the Mornington roundabout with traffic lights;

* Moving the off-ramp from the Tasman Highway to South Arm Highway onto Cambridge Road

* Moving the Mornington Road intersection with South Arm Highway to reduce queuing and safety issues.

Other works include creating safer access to bus stops by improving crossing points for people who walk, wheel or ride in the area.

Ms Collins said she was glad the process of upgrading the intersection was finally to begin.

“It’s long been known that the Mornington roundabout has been a dangerous stretch of road and as the Federal Member for Franklin, I have long been advocating for these vital upgrades,” she said.

Mornington roundabout set for further upgrades.

“That is why the Albanese Labor Government has backed road safety and traffic flow and delivered $80 million towards the upgrade of this infrastructure project over our past two Federal Budgets.

“I’m pleased to see the Tasmanian Government start to get on with work on this project and look forward to the local community benefiting from improved safety and traffic flow.”

Mr Vincent said the works would improve traffic flow and safety for a large number of road users.

“Through our consultation process we heard access to and from Mornington Road can be difficult,” he said.

“Moving this intersection will help with the flow of traffic through this area.

“We also know that queuing on the westbound Tasman Highway off-ramp to South Arm Highway regularly spills onto the Tasman Highway, and so moving the ramp will provide more separation between the off-ramp and the Mornington roundabout intersection.

“These changes will assist in the continuing growth in this region.”

Community consultation and design work on the project will start this year, with first-stage construction planned to begin in late 2026.

Originally published as Hobart’s worst roundabout to get $100m revamp