The new Transit Lane Connector at the bottom of Hobart's Southern Outlet is now fully open, marking a major milestone in the Southern Projects program.
Minister for Infrastructure, Kerry Vincent, said the 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future was delivering better experiences for road users in the Hobart area.
"Road users travelling into the CBD from the Southern Outlet will have a safer, smoother experience as the new lane eases the bottleneck between Davey and Macquarie streets," Minister Vincent said.
"The Transit Lane Connector can be used by general traffic until the Southern Outlet Transit Lane between Olinda Grove and Macquarie Street is completed, at which point it will be converted to a transit lane dedicated to private vehicles carrying three or more people, as well as buses, taxis, motorbikes, and emergency service vehicles.
"The connector also links to the clearway we completed on Macquarie Street in April last year, and in future will link the clearway to the Southern Outlet Transit Lane."
Completion of the Transit Lane Connector is the first stage in preparation for future construction of the Southern Outlet Transit Lane.
"Our next project involves making protective measures to a 400-metre stretch of rockface at the southern end of the proposed transit lane site, near the OIinda Grove ramp," Minister Vincent said.
"The rockface protection works are expected to start later this year and must be completed before construction starts on the transit lane, which will run city-bound between Olinda Grove and Macquarie Street.
"We look forward to sharing the continued progress of the Southern Projects program as we deliver better solutions for public transport and carpooling between the CBD and Hobart's southern suburbs.
"We thank members of the public for their ongoing patience and understanding throughout each of these important projects."
Landscaping and other minor works will continue at the Transit Lane Connector site in May 2025, before the project is fully completed.
"We will continue to invest in our road network to help ensure Tasmanians get home safer, create jobs and keep our economy strong," Minister Vincent said.
Information about the Southern Projects program is available on the Transport website: www.transport.tas.gov.au/southern_projects
