Pedestrian safety a concern for Huon Hwy intersection before 17yo pedestrian struck

A Huon Highway intersection — where a boy was struck this week — has been earmarked for upgrades since 2023. Here’s when it could become safer for pedestrians.

Transport Minister Eric Abetz and Huon Valley Council Mayor Sally Doyle pictured in front of the Huon Highway-Mountain River Road intersection in October last year. Picture: Huon Valley Council

A Huon Valley intersection where a 17-year-old boy was struck by a car on Monday had previously been highlighted by the state government as “the number one concern in relation to pedestrian and bus stop safety”.

Community members are questioning why safety improvements were not put in place for the Huon Highway, Mountain River Road and Turn Creek Road intersection in Grove sooner after the 17-year-old was struck by a car around 3pm.

He was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital and remains in a critical condition.

Huon Valley Council Mayor Sally Doyle said incidents like this could be “particularly distressing for residents, especially young people”.

“Road safety remains a key priority for Council,” she said in a statement released on Tuesday.

“We will continue working with relevant government agencies to advocate for safety improvements across the Huon Valley.”

Huon Highway intersection. PICTURE: MATT THOMPSON

The scene of the incident had been earmarked in a 2023 Huon Highway Corridor Strategy as an area requiring improvement for both traffic and pedestrians.

The report cited a number of access points and high traffic flow during peak hours combined with two bus stops on either side of the highway as potential accident risks.

“There is a high frequency of accesses within the 100km/h zone between Mountain River Road and Allens Road, creating the potential for conflicts with turning vehicles,” the report stated.

“Substandard bus stops adjacent to the highway create the potential for pedestrian/vehicle conflicts.”

Further data compiled by the Department of State Growth found there was a “high level of pedestrian activity” at the intersection, with a 2021 count during peak hours of 6:30am to 8:30am and 3:30pm to 5:30pm showing a total of 28 pedestrians crossing the intersection.

This number is predicted to have increased as a new residential subdivision has been built at Turn Creek Road and general population numbers have increased.

The report also said there was a need to improve bus stops with footpaths and crossing points.

Mayor Sally Doyle did not confirm whether she would lobby the state government to put intersection improvements in place earlier, but said both state government and council were committed to identifying a “suitable solution”.

“This is a high-speed road environment, 100 km/h, with competing priorities,” she said.

“Any improvements necessitate careful consideration and well-designed infrastructure.

Until the crash investigation is complete it is too early to consider if temporary measures could reduce risks.”

Minister Kerry Vincent. New Tasmanian government cabinet swearing in at government house in Hobart. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Infrastructure Minister Kerry Vincent said he was saddened to learn of the incident.

“The Tasmanian Government has committed $3m to address concerns for pedestrian and bus stop safety at the intersection of the Huon Highway and Mountain River Road,” he said.

“In recent months, the Department of State Growth has begun developing concept designs for different options to improve the safety for all road users.

“In the coming weeks, the department will engage with Huon Valley Council to seek their feedback on the initial concepts.

“We will use this feedback to inform the preferred upgrade options to be finalised later in 2025.

“The final design will incorporate feedback from the community before construction begins in 2026.

Originally published as Pedestrian safety a concern for Huon Hwy intersection before 17yo pedestrian struck