Labor needs to tell Tasmanians what its solution is for the Southern Outlet and the growing population it serves.
With a compound traffic growth of 1.6 per cent a year on the Southern Outlet, Labor has an obligation to do more than just than oppose the planned works on the Southern Outlet and Davey and Macquarie streets.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Michael Ferguson, said Dean Winter and Bec White offer no plan and simply oppose everything for political purposes. Let's hear their alternative.
“Their whinging does nothing to help the 60,000 Tasmanians who live in Kingborough and the Huon Valley and who rely on their Government to provide the transport capacity they need,” Mr Ferguson said.
“The Rockliff Liberal Government is getting on with our commitment to deliver an extra transit lane on Hobart’s Southern Outlet as the only solution to improving commuter traffic flow, particularly in morning peaks. It's been far from easy, but we have to do it.
“The first stage of the project is about to begin with night works to remove parking on Davey and Macquarie streets to ease the pressure on these key connectors.
“This includes an extra clearway lane at the top of Macquarie Street as well as an extra lane on the Southern Outlet between Davey and Macquarie streets.
“Work on the transit lane will begin in 2025 and the Government will work with stakeholders and the successful tenderer to minimise traffic disruptions with options such as night work and construction outside of peak periods.
“Staging the works with the start at the “bottleneck’’ at the bottom of the Southern Outlet, Davey and Macquarie streets, will help to ease the pressure valve.
"Dean Winter and Bec White have never given any detail on what Labor would do other than an election commitment to "look to improve the congestion around Davey St/Macquarie St interfaces onto the Southern Outlet".
“In the meantime, if Labor has an alternative it should come out and provide it or stop the incessant moaning.”
More Media Releases from Michael Ferguson
More Media Releases from the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport