Michael Ferguson,Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is implementing congestion-busting initiatives by incentivising public transport and building better and safer roads.
I'm pleased to announce that work has started on a new park and ride facility at Firthside to deliver faster and more reliable bus services between Hobart and the rapidly growing Kingborough region.
The project is part of the Hobart City Deal – Southern Projects program, a suite of coordinated transport projects funded by the Tasmanian Liberal Government and aimed at fostering public transport use and easing traffic congestion along the southern corridor.
In addition to the park and ride, the Southern Projects includes:
- an extra 70 public bus services between Kingston and Hobart City;
- a dedicated transit lane on the Southern Outlet; and
- bus priority measures on Macquarie and Davey Streets.
These projects together will create a convenient alternative to single-occupant, private car travel.
The park and ride facilities will help promote the use of public transport by providing dedicated facilities that allow commuters to leave their car at no charge and take advantage of expanded bus services to Hobart's city centre.
The Firthside facility on Browns Road will provide parking for 62 vehicles, including disability and motorcycle spaces, an upgraded bus shelter and storage for 23 bicycles.
The project is expected to be completed in early 2022. Construction of another park and ride facility at Huntingfield will start later in 2021.
A second facility at Huntingfield near the Algona Road roundabout will include parking for 180 vehicles, including five disability and three motorcycle spaces. It will also include a bus shelter with seating for ten people, and a large amenities building with ambulant and wheelchair accessibility, a baby change table and lock-up storage for 26 bicycles.
Construction of the two facilities will not affect traffic on the Channel Highway, Algona Road Roundabout or Southern Outlet.
However, there will be changed traffic conditions on Huntingfield Avenue and Browns Road, including lane closures and a reduced speed limit. There will also be changes to parking and traffic arrangements at the park and ride locations during construction.
People using these roads should allow up to eight minutes of extra travel time during construction.
We thank in advance members of the local community for their patience as we start to build this important infrastructure – the benefits will be worth it.
