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Brooker Highway Upgrade

Background

The Brooker Highway is a critical transport link for Hobart. Currently delays and queuing occurs at peak times at both Elwick Road Junction and at Howard Road Roundabout. Traffic modelling indicates that both intersections are likely to reach capacity by 2017.

A state election commitment was made at the last election to fund road works on the Brooker Highway to improve the efficiency and safety at these intersections. To gauge community interest in the options being proposed, in 2008 DIER hosted public displays on two options for upgrades at:

  • Howard Road and Elwick/Goodwood Road

The upgrade of the Howard Road section of the Highway, at an estimated cost of $7 million, will be the initial focus of the project. 

Features of Howard Road Upgrade Project

The project will convert Howard Road Roundabout to a signalised intersection. Features of the new intersection will include:

  • A 3rd lane on the Brooker Highway
  • Additional through lanes
  • Additional dedicated turn lanes
  • Access to Timsbury Road via new road link

Benefits the upgrade will provide are improved:

  • Travel times
  • Access to the Brooker Highway from side roads
  • Pedestrian safety
  • Access for Goodwood residents to facilities
        

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Howard Road Intersection
Click on image to enlarge (1.1MB)

Current Status

  • The upgrade has currently been placed on hold pending the completion of a long-term strategic transport plan for the entire Brooker Highway in consultation with the Glenorchy, Hobart and Brighton Councils.
  • The Government remains committed, in line with a 2006 State election commitment, to achieving an outcome which improves both road safety and traffic flow along this crucial transport link.

Traffic Model of Proposal

The video files below are extracts from the micro-simulation traffic modelling software. This software is used to show the traffic conditions at the Howard Road Roundabout if the intersection was converted to traffic signals as compared to the traffic conditions if the intersection was to remain as it is.

The analysis was conducted using estimated 2017 traffic volumes based on long-term growth forecasts for the area. Both scenarios have the same number of vehicles utilising the road network, with the only difference being the junction configuration at the Howard Road Roundabout.

2017 AM
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Click on image to view video (2.6MB)

The '2017 AM' model represents
the AM peak hour at approximately
8:15 and is at 5 times real speed.

2017 PM
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Click on image to view video (2.8MB)

The '2017 PM' model represents
the PM peak hour at approximately
17:15 and is at 5 times real speed.


For further information contact:

Gunadasa Ginneliya
Project Manager

Ph: 03 6233 5298
Email: gunadasa.ginneliya@dier.tas.gov.au