Tow truck fleet deployed to bust Hobart traffic snarls

Tow trucks will now be stationed all day to deal with traffic delays on major Hobart roadways with other peak problem areas to soon get the same treatment. See where they will be.

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael Ferguson launching new tow trucks and tow away zones for the Hobart CBD. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

A FLEET of tow trucks to collect cars involved in minor crashes and snatch vehicles parked in clearways has been rolled out by the State Government.

Infrastructure Michael Ferguson says the five tow trucks are part of congestion-busting measures for Hobart.

Starting on Monday, tow trucks will be stationed all day to deal with problems on the Tasman Bridge and clearways on Macquarie St will be extended to start at 6.30am.

Those who break the rules will be towed once the phase-in period ends on October 14, Mr Ferguson said.

“We understand that changing traffic conditions can be challenging, so there will be a minimal grace period to adjust to the tow truck enforcement, while tickets will still be issued,” he said.

“Quickly responding to breakdowns, traffic incidents or illegally parked cars will play a key role in improving time reliability and traffic flow on Hobart’s streets.”

Over the coming months, more tow trucks will be deployed to deal with incidents during the morning and afternoon peaks on the Southern Outlet, Macquarie and Davey streets, adn the Brooker, Domain, Tasman and East Derwent highways, Mr Ferguson said.

Deputy Labor leader Michelle O’Byrne said the Govenrment promised much but achieved little.

“This Government got elected a couple of times on significant commitments around transport and related infrastructure and to date we’ve seen very little occur,” she said.

“We still don’t have a four-lane Midland Highway. We still don’t have any word on the bridge over the Tamar River, the Bridgewater Bridge just a matter outstanding, there isn’t a fifth lane on the Southern Outlet, we still don’t have the duplication of the Sorell Causeway.