Slow going on traffic fix as Macquarie, Davey streets takeover may push into next year

THE State Government takeover of Macquarie and Davey streets to ease traffic congestion may not occur this year.

Heavy traffic on Davey St. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

THE State Government takeover of Macquarie and Davey streets to ease traffic congestion may not occur before the end of the year, with legislation needed to complete the move.

A Budget Estimates hearing has been told that taking ownership from Hobart City Council would require legislative amendments.

“We will try our best to get it done by the end of the year — that’s my expectation,” Infrastructure Minister Jeremy Rockliff said. The move was one of the key planks of the Hodgman Government’s pledge to deal with Hobart’s increasing congestion.

The State Government has written to the council to begin the process, which is likely to eventually result in clearways and electronic detection to improve traffic flow.

Mr Rockliff said the aim was to reduce traffic in the CBD by the 3-9 per cent it decreases during school holiday periods.

“If we get the public to shift to public transport by just that much, it will have a very big impact,” he said.

Infrastructure Minister Jeremy Rockliff.

Labor took aim at the Liberals’ traffic infrastructure promises, suggesting the unfunded Hobart underground bus mall could be built above ground and accusing the Government of underestimating the cost of a fifth lane on the Southern Outlet.

LIBS’ VISION FOR EXTRA LANE ON SOUTHERN OUTLET

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The Liberals committed $750,000 to advance the much-hyped bus transit centre, which has been estimated to cost $100 million.

Labor infrastructure spokesman David O’Byrne.

“Embarrassingly, Mr Rockliff admitted the mythical underground bus mall might be built above ground if it is built at all,” Labor infrastructure spokesman David O’Byrne said.

The Government pledged $35 million for the outlet’s fifth lane, despite an independent feasibility study showing it would cost up to $70 million to build the preferred option of an express bus lane.

The full amount had not been allocated in this year’s budget, Mr O’Byrne said.

Mr Rockliff said he would consider the various options thrown up by a public consultation period.

“That’s the commitment ($35 million) and I’m open to suggestions and ideas,” he said.

A business case for the $576 million Bridgewater crossing was still to be completed, the committee heard, but construction was expected to begin in 2021-22.

The state and federal budgets contain $121 million of funding for the bridge over the forward estimates but both governments have pledged their share of the full amount.