Project Objective

To improve overtaking opportunities on the Huon Highway between Huonville and Geeveston.

Project Background Information

Huon Highway carries a diverse range of traffic including commercial vehicles, commuters and tourists and the different operating speeds have caused frustration for road users.

The need for improved overtaking opportunities in the Huon Highway has been identified by the Huon Valley Council and the State Government.

Palmers Road at Port Huon was recently closed to through traffic for safety reasons, removing an overtaking opportunity "rat run".

Funding

The project is part of the $90 million Community Roads Program announced by the State Government in 2010, which is providing communities with safer and more efficient roads.

The Government has allocated $8 million for the construction of the overtaking lanes.

Location

The project is located on the Huon Highway at Sommers Straight (Braeside Road to Fleurtys Road), north of Castle Forbes Bay.

Project Features and Benefits of the Project

The project includes the construction of additional lanes on the east side of Sommers Straight, realignment between Sommers Straight and Fleurtys Road, flexible safety barrier, wide sealed shoulders and turning facilities at Braeside Road and Fleurtys Road.

The project will:

• Provide an improved overtaking opportunity with a reduction in the length of queues behind slow vehicles.
• Remove conflict between through traffic and residents slowing to enter their properties by providing a slow and fast lane.
• Provide a wide sealed shoulder for cyclists, pedestrians and buses to pull-off.
• Provide a new road alignment south of Sommers Straight to reduce the potential for crashes.
  

Local Access

Local residents will have safe right-turn access and from their property using the G-Turn facilities at Braeside Road and Fleurtys Road.

Progress to Date

Concept design has been developed.

Investigations for Aboriginal and European heritage; flora and fauna; geotechnical, noise impact and property access have been completed.

Technical constraints such as road geometry and property accesses have been identified.

Discussions with property owners and bus service providers has occurred on the proposed concept design and potential impacts.

Current Status

Community consultation and feedback is a critical part of the planning process for the upgrading of road corridors and helps to identify alternative ideas, improvements to the concept design plans and areas of concern.

Public information sessions to gain community feedback on the concept design were held in Dover on 14 February 2012 and in Franklin and Geeveston in November 2011.

The concept design was also on display at the Huon Valley Council Chambers from 24 November to 21 December 2011.

A final proposal has not been agreed to and consideration will be given to all concerns and ideas raised by the community as to the best way to achieve overtaking opportunities on the Huon Highway between Huonville and Dover as well as alternative ideas as what should be the priorities.

Supporting Documentation

• Concept Design, (PDF, 300KB)
• Location of the Overtaking Lanes, (PDF, 383KB)
• Typical Cross Section, (PDF, 336KB)
• Traffic and Road Safety Study December 2011, (PDF, 1.12MB)
• Frequently Asked Questions, (PDF, 42.1KB)
  

Contact Details 

For further information about the project please email: dier@dier.tas.gov.au