About the project
We are improving safety through the Exeter town centre by trialling new and improved pedestrian crossing facilities and a reduced speed limit through the town centre.
Project design
In 2022, the community raised concerns about pedestrian safety when crossing Main Road, Exeter. The need for improved crossing points was also identified through our West Tamar Corridor Strategy – Launceston to Beauty Point. This strategy looks at safety upgrades and improvements along the West Tamar Highway.
The preferred design was revised following community feedback in March 2025 and includes five crossings in total, including two new crossings and upgrades to three existing crossings.
The preferred design includes:
- New kerb extensions and a pedestrian island near Shakers Takeaway.
- Changes to existing crossing and installation of a new pedestrian island near the Exeter Police Station.
- New kerb extension and upgrade of the existing kerb extension at the Murray Street intersection, to enable use as a pedestrian crossing.
- Changes to the existing crossings at the Biloo Street intersection.
- New kerb extension and upgrade of the existing pedestrian island at the Glen Ard Mohr Road intersection.
Pedestrian Crossing trial
We will be trialling two of the pedestrian island crossings over a 6-month period from early 2026 to test their effectiveness and gather additional community feedback before finalising the design.
The trial sites will be located outside the Exeter Police Station and outside Shakers Takeaway and were chosen following traffic and safety assessments and feedback from the community.
The trial will let the community become familiar with these crossings and allow us to monitor the benefits of the crossing locations.
The final designs, including the locations and number of pedestrian crossings, will be based on the outcome of the six-month trial. This will be informed by community feedback and assessments of pedestrian activity, traffic flow and parking impacts.
If community feedback through the trial indicates parking is a higher priority than the five pedestrian crossings, the number of crossings may be reduced, However, fewer crossings would mean a lower overall safety outcome.
View the trial location designs here.
Setting safer speed limits
During community consultation in March we heard that some members of the community feel unsafe when crossing Main Road, Exeter.
As part of efforts to improve safety in Exeter, the Commissioner for Transport has also approved changes to speed limits on the West Tamar Highway, as detailed below:
40 km/h Shopping Zone
The Commissioner for Transport has approved a 12-month trial of a 40 km/h variable speed limit on a 350-metre section of the West Tamar Highway between Frankford Road and Glen Ard Mohr Road. The variable limit will operate during periods of higher pedestrian activity (8:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday to Friday, and 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on weekends and public holidays).
The changed speed limit will be introduced in December 2025 on a 12-month trial basis will include a comprehensive review of safety outcomes and feedback to inform whether the speed limit will be retained on a permanent basis.
Extension of 50 km/h Zone
The existing 50 km/h speed limit will be extended by approximately 170 metres approaching the town centre.
This change is in recognition of the level of development and pedestrian activity in that section and to maintain an adequate distance for the 50km/h zone leading into the recommended variable 40km/h section.
This change will also take effect in December 2025.
Public display
The designs are available to view online or at the Exeter Library (57 Main Road, Exeter) until Sunday, 14 December 2025.
The opening hours are:
- Monday, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
- Wednesday, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
- Thursday, 11:30 am to 6:00 pm
- Friday, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.
We will be seeking further feedback during the trial periods for the crossings and speed limit change between December 2025 and December 2026.
Project timeline
December 2025
- Community feedback opens
- Speed limit trial starts (12-month trial).
Early 2026
- Construction of two trial pedestrian island crossings.
- Pedestrian crossing trial starts (6-month trial).
- Ongoing monitoring and assessment of the site to inform the final design.
- Further community feedback opportunities.
Late 2026
- Pedestrian crossing trial concludes.
- Finalisation of design.
December 2026
- Speed limit trial concludes.
- Speed limit review and final outcome.
2027
- Construction of final design upgrades.
Visuals
Map of the preferred Exeter Pedestrian Crossing area.
1. Frequently Asked Questions
What changes have been made to the concept design?
In March 2025, we asked for your feedback on the concept design.
We have considered all feedback and in response, an additional pedestrian island has been proposed near the Exeter Police Station, as part of the preferred design.
The total number of proposed crossings in the preferred design is five.
How were the proposed crossing locations determined?
We carried out a range of site investigations and assessments to identify the proposed crossing locations, including reviewing traffic and pedestrian activity, engaging with local businesses and residents, and reviewing existing parking usage.
We considered all key factors such as where people are regularly going to and from, the location of nearby intersections, residential and commercial driveways, the road width, and on-street parking.
Based on this, the proposed pedestrian crossings have been purposefully placed at regular intervals throughout the shopping precinct.
Are there further changes planned?
We are trialling the installation of two of the proposed pedestrian islands over 6-months to allow the community to become familiar with these crossings and so we can monitor the benefits of these upgrades.
This monitoring as well as community feedback will help us decide on a final design for the project.
Are zebra crossings an option?
Zebra Crossings were assessed but are not considered a safe option in the Exeter town centre.
The Austroads Road Guidelines state that zebra crossings are only appropriate for low-speed, low-traffic environments.
Main Road, Exeter is part of the state road network and carries a high volume of traffic, including heavy vehicles and drivers unfamiliar with the town.
Zebra crossings rely heavily on drivers being attentive and having clear visibility to make sure they can safely stop when a pedestrian begins to cross.
Visibility and attention can be affected in areas such as Exeter with cars frequently turning in and out of on-street parking, large vehicles travelling through, and lots of activity taking place near the road.
Pedestrians using the crossing may assume vehicles will stop even when drivers are distracted or unable to respond in time, and this can be a safety risk.
Are traffic lights an option?
When planning for upgrades we need to consider safety and efficiency for all road users, whether driving, walking, wheeling or riding.
For signalised pedestrian crossings to work well, and to minimise jaywalking, pedestrians need to get the green walk signal very regularly. Our assessment found this would cause frequent stopping and delays for road traffic on Main Road, which is a key transport route as part of the West Tamar Highway.
Traffic lights would also result in more noise throughout the day and evening from heavy vehicles using their brakes to slow down and stop at lights. This negatively impacts the amenity of the Exeter town centre for patrons and residents.
The Exeter town centre has shops and attractions spread along both sides of the road and is not concentrated in one location. Our assessment also found that people tend to cross the road at multiple different locations in Exeter rather than at one consistent point.
Because of this, traffic lights are not the best option for this location as it is unlikely that pedestrians will always walk to the traffic lights to cross the road. Instead, based on observed pedestrian movements, people will choose to cross at different points along the road depending on where it is most convenient resulting in resulting in a poorer safety outcome.
Are brightly covered bollards or ‘elderly crossing’ signs an option?
These options will be explored with the West Tamar Council.
Will on-street parking be impacted?
As part of the pedestrian crossing trial, three on-street parking spaces will be removed during the trial.
This provides space for the trial crossings and allows pedestrians to see oncoming traffic without their view being obstructed by parked vehicles.
We will make a final decision on on-street parking at the end of the trial, which will be reflected in the final design.
Funding
This project is jointly funded by the Australian Government and Tasmanian Government.
Accessibility
If you would like to find out more information and you have accessibility requirements, please contact the project team on the details below.
You can find out more about Transport Services' commitment to accessibility.
Contact
To provide feedback on the concept design, please contact the project team on (03) 6210 0662 or by email to exetercrossings@stategrowth.tas.gov.au