Expanded Derwent ferry service could be answer to Hobart traffic woes

There is much to be proud of in Tasmania’s biggest city — but traffic design isn’t one of them. Perhaps the best answer lies in the river so many were waiting to drive above. OUR SAY >>

The Tasman Bridge is often congested with any minor or major incident. Photo: File

THERE is a lot to admire about the picturesque city of Hobart.

The capital perched on the shores of a beautiful river under the towering form of a mountain is a sight to behold as you cross the Tasman Bridge into the city.

Yes, there is much to be proud of in Tasmania’s biggest city, but traffic design isn’t one of them.

No one was crossing the Tasman Bridge in a vehicle from either direction for nearly three hours on Monday after a truck rolled closing a key piece of the city’s infrastructure while rescue crews went to work to free the driver and clear the mess.

But the mess wasn’t just on the bridge. Because all major roads feeding into the CBD reach a choke point, all it takes is for one crash to stop the traffic.

Traffic on the Bowen Bridge following a truck rollover on Tasman Bridge. 16 Jan 2023. Picture: supplied

Vehicles were nose-to-tail all the way up Davey and all the way down Macquarie streets and even backed up on the Southern Outlet. The Brooker Highway was blocked to the north too. On the Eastern Shore cars, trucks and buses stretched back for kilometres and all commuters could do was sit, wait … and fume.

As one frustrated commuter put it: “Another great example of inadequate planning by HCC and the state government.”

It isn’t as if this is a new problem. Incidents like this have happened before. Try as they might governments don’t seem to have the answers.

Urban economist Bob Cotgrove says a bypass of the city is the only answer.

The Hobart City Council has been pushing for fewer cars in the CBD.

The government have plans to build a fifth lane on the Southern Outlet. A fat lot of use that would have been on Monday.

I guess you might have got to the gridlock a little quicker.

Perhaps the best answer lies in the river so many were waiting to drive above.

Travelling on the water wasn’t a problem amid yesterday’s chaos.

Extra Derwent ferries allowed many to get home and put their feet up long before others had moved 100 metres.

The sooner an expanded and regular Derwent ferry system arrives to service all parts of greater Hobart, the better.

Just ask anyone caught in yesterday’s traffic

Originally published as Expanded Derwent ferry service could be answer to Hobart traffic woes