Dangerous Huon Highway intersection to receive $5m upgrade to improve safety

Roadworks will soon begin in an effort to improve safety at a notorious intersection, but there are doubts the upgrade will make much of a difference.

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WORK will begin in the coming weeks on a major upgrade to the Huon Highway/Sandfly Road intersection.

Hazell Brothers has been awarded a $5.1 million contract for the works.

The intersection has been the site of 33 reported crashes over the past 10 years.

Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure Minister Michael McCormack said the project formed part of the Australian and Tasmanian governments’ $46 million stimulus package for shovel-ready infrastructure projects and urgent road safety upgrades.

“This critical project will upgrade the busy junction at the Huon Highway and Sandfly Road to improve road safety, better connect world-famous Tasmanian businesses to ports and markets and get people home sooner and safer,” Mr McCormack said.

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$5.1 million will be spent upgrading the Huon Highway and Sandfly Rd intersection. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Transport Minister Michael Ferguson said the Sandfly Rd intersection design included space for buses and trucks to wait safely in the centre median before turning, plus slip lanes and a deceleration lane to further improve safety and reduce congestion.

“The design also includes pedestrian, cyclist and car parking facilities, better access to the bus stops and improved lighting through the intersection,” Mr Ferguson said.

Work is due to start in March and to be completed by the end of the year.

The RACT has named the Sandfly Rd/Huon Highway intersection as one of its top road safety priorities.

Labor has questioned if the design of the upgrade will improve safety.

Local Labor MP David O’Byrne has said the proposed upgrade was “a lot of money for a marginal improvement”.