Hobart to Eastern Shore ferry could be up and running next month
Hobart commuters were late to work on this morning after a series of crashes, back-to-school-traffic and wet road conditions, wrought havoc in peak-hour.
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HUNDREDS of Hobart commuters were late to work on Thursday morning after a series of crashes, combined with the return of back-to-school-traffic and wet road conditions, wrought havoc in peak-hour.
Some travellers reported a doubling of their usual journey time as three separate crashes brought traffic flow to a crawl in some areas. A single-vehicle crash on the Huon Highway at Lower Longley was reported by police at 7.12am, while a crash involving multiple vehicles occurred in the city-bound lanes of the Tasman Bridge just before 8am.
Another crash was reported just before 10am on the Channel Highway at Kingston where a vehicle rolled, but the occupants escaped serious injury.
Tasmanian Federal Labor MP Julie Collins slammed what she described as slow progress on congestion-busting projects identified in the Hobart City Deal, which was signed almost two years ago.
This included building a fifth lane on the Southern Outlet, establishing a ferry service on the River Derwent and improving traffic flow on the Tasman Highway from Sorell to the Tasman Bridge.
“With school going back this week, Hobart commuters are facing growing congestion and the cost of the Liberals’ infrastructure failures,’’ she said.
RACT chief member experience officer Stacey Pennicott said the way to tackle traffic congestion was to provide better transport links.
Ms Pennicott said the RACT wanted to see timelines on projects like the River Derwent ferry trial, park and ride facilities at Kingston and upgrades to the Southern Outlet.
The Federal Government said key projects including the new Bridgewater Bridge, upgrades to the Tasman Hwy and River Derwent trial ferry service was nearing activation.
Assessment of tenders to operate the service is underway and it is expected to be operational this year.
Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson said many projects were being progressed, including the Southern Outlet, South East Traffic Solution and the new Bridgewater Bridge.
Mr Ferguson said a contract for the ferry service was expected to be awarded soon.
FERRY SERVICE NEARS
THE ferry service set to connect the Eastern Shore with the city could be up and running by late March, says the RACT.
Chief member experience officer Stacey Pennicott said Tuesday’s “traffic snarls” in and around Hobart would hopefully be reduced by the implementation of the state government’s new congestion busting measures.
“After years of lobbying from the RACT, the government has committed to introduce park and ride facilities in the Kingston area and also for a River Derwent ferry trial between Sullivans Cove and the Eastern Shore,” she said.
“[Tuesday]’s traffic jams in and around Hobart show why these measures are needed more than ever.
“With students heading back to school this week, the problems will only continue to get worse.”
Ms Pennicott said the park and ride service would soon start from Firthside, with another from the Fork in the Road to start later in the year.
“The Derwent River Ferry tender closed last month and indicative dates in the tender documents suggest the service could be up and running as soon as late March or early April,” she said.
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