Traffic congestion within the Greater Hobart region is a symptom of a growing economy, which is why we committed $1.8 million in the 2017/18 Budget to fund initiatives aimed at making peak traffic periods more efficient .
I am pleased today to release the Hobart Traffic Origin-Destination Report, which reveals new information about the driving patterns of Greater Hobart motorists and will inform how we provide solutions to avoid serious congestion events.
The Report confirms a large majority (79 per cent) of cars are travelling to central Hobart in the morning peak, and a similar amount (76 per cent) are leaving from the CBD during the afternoon peak.
These findings reinforce the need for traffic flow improvements in Central Hobart, especially on Macquarie and Davey Streets, as recommended in the Hobart Congestion Traffic Analysis report.
I again urge the Hobart City Council to make the necessary changes to their roads to improve traffic flow in central Hobart not only for the benefit of Hobart ratepayers, but for all the people of Greater Hobart.
Importantly, the Report demonstrates that, as most people are coming into Central Hobart and staying there until the afternoon, there is not currently a need for expensive infrastructure solutions such as a tunnel or elevated motorway through South Hobart, West Hobart and Lenah Valley.
We will continue to look at initiatives to reduce congestion, including investing in Bluetooth traffic technology that will enable the Traffic control centre to directly control traffic signals to quickly ease congestion points and to communicate traffic information directly to commuters.
Tasmanians can rest assured the Hodgman Government is getting on with the job of resolving these congestion challenges.
The report is now available at www.transport.tas.gov.au/road/plans_strategies