New legislation flags clearways and bus priority lanes for traffic fix

A NEW report has found average speeds into the city have fallen, with commuters from Sorell the worst hit.

Hobart Is now the fourth most congested city after Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide, says RACT executive general manager Stacey Pennicott. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE.

HOBART’S traffic woes are getting worse, with motorists now forced to drive slower than four years ago.

A new report has found average speeds into the city have fallen 0.5km/h, with commuters from Sorell the worst hit.

It comes as the State Government announced it would introduce new laws this week to take ownership of Macquarie and Davey streets.

The Roads and Jetties Amendment Bill would make the trouble spots part of the state road network and give authorities stronger powers to tow illegally parked cars.

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Since 2014, the average speed for drivers travelling into Hobart has dropped from 65.5km/h to 65km/h, according to the Australian Automobile Association’s first congestion report.

Those travelling from Sorell to the CBD suffered the most, with their journey during the morning peak increasing by 2.2 minutes since 2013.

During the same period motorists driving from Glenorchy to the city lost 1.2 minutes, from the airport 0.7 and from Kingston 0.4, while commuters from Claremont to the CBD gained 0.2 minutes.

Last month Hobart traffic was brought to a standstill with separate crashes on the same day forcing lane closures on the Tasman Bridge and Southern Outlet during the morning peak.

Delays are also expected to worsen today as people return to work after the school holiday break.

Infrastructure Minister Jeremy Rockliff says the Government has a strong plan to tackle congestion in Hobar. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Infrastructure Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the new legislation would allow cars parked in clearways to be towed away, just as they are in other capital cities.

Currently on state roads the owner of a vehicle can be fined but the illegally parked car stays where it is, continuing to block traffic.

“If you park illegally on Macquarie or Davey streets during peak hours, soon you can expect to get towed thanks to a suite of strong congestion-busting measures,” he said.

“This government has a strong plan to tackle congestion in Hobart, including using our legislative power to take over Davey and Macquarie streets to improve traffic flow through the CBD.

RACT executive general manager Stacey Pennicott says a long-term vision for Hobart’s traffic is needed. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“Once Davey and Macquarie streets are in State Government hands, we will start investing $16 million in improvements, including the creation of clearways, bus priority lanes and other practical measures to cut travel times.”

Mr Rockliff said the Government still had plans for a fifth lane on the Southern Outlet and the $1 million investment to synchronise traffic lights during peaks had assisted traffic flow on Macquarie or Davey streets.

The report showed congestion improved slightly between 2014 and 2018 with the percentage of free flow up to 94.3 per cent from 93.2 per cent, but for a 5km trip, Hobartians had lost an average of 0.2 seconds by 2018.

RACT executive general manager Stacey Pennicott said they were concerned there was no overall vision for improved mobility across Greater Hobart.

“A long-term vision is critical as our population continues to grow and as visitor numbers to the state increases,” she said.

She said Hobart was now the fourth most congested city after Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide.