Southern Outlet traffic plan welcomed but more needed for Hobart

A FIFTH lane for the Southern Outlet is just one part of the traffic solution for Hobart, experts agree.

Plans for a fifth lane on the Southern Outlet have been welcomed. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

FIND the extra millions to build the full Southern Outlet bus lane, and broaden the traffic plan to take in the whole city, experts are telling the State Government.

The Mercury revealed yesterday a central fifth lane prioritising buses and switching direction between peak hours was the preferred option of a study into the Outlet’s traffic congestion.

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It was commissioned to back the Hodgman Government’s $35 million pledge to build a fifth lane on the Hobart to Kingston route.

The study found the bus transit lane would cost $57 million to $67 million, an amount worth finding, traffic and planning experts agree.

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“When you look at the lost hours people spend sitting behind the wheels of their cars stuck in traffic and you translate that into dollars, there’s your missing millions,” UTAS planning expert Professor Jason Byrne said.

The report, by international consultant Jacobs, considered three options costing from $23 million. Bus lanes on Macquarie St would cost an extra $2 million, the report found.

But Prof Byrne said the Government should go for the Rolls Royce version — and then expand bus lanes in the city.

“There’s no way that Hobart can continue to rely on its high level of car dependence,” he said. “The only thing we achieve by putting more cars on roads is more gridlock.”

The fifth lane is being backed by the Tasmanian Bus Association and Kingborough mayor Steve Wass. The RACT has also welcomed the move but has cautioned it needs to be part of a broader traffic plan.

“There seems to be a focus has been on assisting commuters to get into the city and little has been done to manage vehicle movements once they are in the CBD,” a statement from the motoring group read.

“Congestion issues stem from a variety of sources, not just the Southern Outlet, which is why a broader, long-term strategy is so critical.”

Prof Byrne said smart phone bookings and alerts, and flexible stops near people’s homes could encourage people to choose public transport.

“The most important way to get people to change their mindset is to have a public transport system that is convenient,” he said.