Work to begin on Macquarie and Davey streets, 100 parking spaces to be permanently scrapped
There will be less space for people to park their cars on two of Hobart’s busiest roads, with a contractor set to commence work on congestion-busting improvements to the major streets.
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Almost 100 parking spaces will soon be permanently removed from Macquarie and Davey streets as the state government endeavours to bust the bottlenecks on the two arterial roads and make bus travel and active transport more appealing to Hobartians.
Work on the first stage of the project is expected to begin this month after the government awarded local building firm, BlackCap Construction, a $1.8m contract. It is due to be completed by July 15.
On Davey St, a separated bike lane will be installed between Sandy Bay Rd and Barrack St, which will require the removal of parking spaces on the southern side of the block.
The clearway on Macquarie St between Denison Lne and Molle St will be extended to Gore St, allowing it to be used as a dedicated left turning lane at peak times. Some parking on both sides of Macquarie St will be taken away to facilitate the extension.
The clearway will be active on Monday to Friday between 6.30am and 9.30am and 3pm to 6pm and will connect to the new fifth lane on the Southern Outlet.
Part of a suite of Southern Projects under the Hobart City Deal, the improvements to Macquarie and Davey streets will be installed in two stages.
The second stage of works will involve the installation of new right turning lanes on Barrack and Murray streets, shortened pedestrian crossings on Molle, Barrack and Harrington streets, and the removal of some parking spaces on both sides of Davey St to improve the turning of traffic and reduce queuing into Harrington St and Sandy Bay Rd.
A total of 93 parking spaces will be removed – about 70 from Macquarie St and 30 from Davey St – once all projects are finished, which will impact existing permit-holders.
RACT general manager advocacy and government relations, Mel Percival, said the organisation’s members had “consistently voiced their support” for measures to reduce traffic congestion at the city’s most notorious bottlenecks.
“Our hope is that improvements on these roads, including enforced clearways, will assist to make public transport options more attractive and accessible,” she said.
Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson said the government would “take all measures to make sure the works have a minimal impact on road users”.
“Most work will be done at night. If any needs to be done in the day, it will be done in off-peak travel times,” he said.
“We have consulted widely on the removal of parking spaces on Macquarie St and Davey St, including with [Hobart City Council], as well as nearby residents and businesses.
“To reduce the impact on residents and property owners, parking in side streets will be adjusted to allow for permits and encourage turnover.”
Mr Ferguson said the projects weren’t intended to “discourage” the use of private cars but instead would “improve connections and choice for public transport users so that it is a more attractive option for people travelling to and through Hobart”.
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Originally published as Work to begin on Macquarie and Davey streets, 100 parking spaces to be permanently scrapped
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