West Tamar Hwy neared capacity in March 2022, report finds, as Acropolis Dr roundabout groans

A traffic report submitted as part of an application for a new 23-lot industrial estate has warned that the development could be the straw the broke the camel’s back for a vital Tasmanian highway.

Plan of development for new 23-lot industrial precinct proposed for Lot 1, West Tamar Hwy, at Legana. Picture: 6ty Degrees

A traffic report submitted as part of an application for a new industrial estate has warned that the development could be the straw the broke the camel’s back for a vital Tasmanian highway.

West Tamar Council has received a development application to subdivide the new estate at Lot 1, West Tamar Hwy, Legana, on 9600ha of land owned by applicant John Frederick Griffiths.

However, a traffic impact assessment by consultants Traffic & Civil Services has sounded the alarm that Legana’s outsized growth – it recorded nearly 300 new dwellings between 2016–21, and an additional 700 residents, census data shows – could overload a key West Tamar Hwy intersection.

Extensive residential development is also proposed for three additional Legana precincts at Muddy Creek, Southern and Bulman Brook, while further development is also forecast for Acropolis Drive.

Morning peak hour traffic on the West Tamar Highway near the Bridgenorth Rd intersection, October 24, 2022. Picture: Facebook/ Lisa Moore

According to council figures, at least 271 residential lots have been approved across these precincts, while under land use plans, an additional 2090 lots could be developed in the mid- to long-term future.

There is also the impact of the new $24m Legana Primary School, due to host the first of its eventual 350 students in 2025, to consider.

Artist's render of entrance to planned Legana Primary School. Picture: Cumulus Studio

“As of March 2022, the West Tamar Highway/ Acropolis Drive/ Legana Park Drive intersection is near capacity,” the traffic report said.

“It is anticipated that the state government will increase capacity at this location within the next five years”.

The intersection currently sees about 14,000 vehicle movements per day and is projected to grow at 3.1 per cent per annum, the report noted.

The proposed Southern precinct will place greatest pressure on the heaving intersection.

“This precinct is planned to extend Legana further south between the West Tamar Hwy and the Tamar Estuary,” the report said.

Legana Structure Plan, showing future areas identified for residential development, including Bulman Brook and Southern. Picture: West Tamar Council

It would be accessed primarily by a new collector road that would feed into the West Tamar Hwy roundabout at Acropolis Dr/Legana Park Dr.

“The proposed new collector road connection is further justification for increasing the highway intersection capacity. West Tamar Council needs to provide developers with guidance on requirements,” the report said.

Follow @humidityreport

A Department of State Growth spokesman said the state government had a number of projects planned to help ease the groaning highway.

First in time, the highway will be duplicated from one lane to two lanes in each direction between Freshwater Point Rd and Acropolis Dr, including the upgrade of the intersections at Acropolis Dr and Freshwater Point Rd to dual lane roundabouts.

Construction on this is due to commence in 2024.

Other future projects include a new roundabout at Bridgenorth Rd, two new signalised pedestrian crossings, a central median with safety barrier to separate traffic travelling in opposite directions, a new shared path along the highway for cyclists and pedestrians, on-road bike lanes on both sides of the highway, and new bike paths at all three intersections to help cyclists negotiate the roundabouts.

West Tamar Mayor Christina Holmdahl. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

West Tamar Mayor Christina Holmdahl said that council had “lobbied the state government for a great length of time regarding the capacity of the West Tamar Highway at multiple intersections through Legana, particularly in the morning peak at the Acropolis Drive and Bridgenorth Road intersections”.