Kings Meadows Connector Link Safety Upgrades

About the project

We have completed our investigations into safety upgrades for the Kings Meadows Connector to help reduce queuing onto the Midland Highway.

We heard the community’s concerns about safety around the Kings Meadows Connector. During busy times, traffic can queue on the off‑ramp and back onto the Midland Highway, creating risks for drivers at highway speeds.

In 2024–25 we allocated funding to investigate practical upgrades that reduce queuing on the off‑ramp, support smoother traffic flow in peak times, and lower the risk of rear‑end crashes. This work supports our commitment to the Towards Zero – Tasmanian Road Safety Strategy 2017–2026.

While we completed our investigations, we implemented early measures that are already helping to reduce crash risk:

• reduced speed limits on the Midland Highway between Prospect and Kings Meadows
• “Queued Traffic Ahead” signs for drivers approaching the Kings Meadows Connector.

Identified Safety Upgrades

Traffic can build up quickly on the Kings Meadows Connector off‑ramp during busy periods. When queues become long, they can stretch back onto the Midland Highway and block a lane. To address this, we will deliver three upgrades.

Extending the Midland Highway southbound off‑ramp

To address traffic spilling back onto the Midland Highway during busy times, we are extending the southbound off‑ramp to provide more room for vehicles to queue safely. This will help reduce the chance of sudden braking and rear‑end crashes and support a smoother flow of traffic during peak travel times.

Installing traffic‑activated signals at the roundabout

Traffic‑activated signals will be installed at the roundabout on the Kings Meadows Link   and Dolerite Drive approaches. Traffic‑activated signals will turn on only when queues build on the off‑ramp, creating gaps so vehicles can exit safely. At other times, the roundabout will operate normally. This will improve safety and reduce queuing during busy periods.

Realigning the left‑turn lane at the roundabout

Realigning the lane will allow vehicles turning left onto the Midland Highway to bypass the traffic signals, make movements clearer, and improve how traffic flows through the roundabout.

Currently, some drivers use the left‑turn‑only lane to travel straight through the roundabout, which creates uncertainty for people giving way and contributes to congestion, especially for vehicles exiting the off‑ramp.

Timing

We completed investigations in December 2024 and January 2025 and are finalising detailed designs. Work is likely to begin in May 2026, with all upgrades expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

We will keep the community informed as the project progresses. Before construction begins, we will notify road users, nearby residents and businesses about timing, expected impacts and any temporary traffic changes.

FAQs

Will the speed limit between Prospect and Kings Meadows increase once the other safety measures have been implemented?

The lower speed limit introduced in August 2024 was approved by the Commissioner for Transport as a long‑term safety measure to help reduce the likelihood and severity of crashes in this busy section of the Midland Highway.

Research shows that even small reductions in speed can provide significant safety benefits. For these reasons, the current speed limit will remain in place to support the broader safety improvements being delivered.

Is this project near the new Kings Meadows Heavy Vehicle Driver Rest Area?

Yes. The off‑ramp extension is being designed together with the proposed Heavy Vehicle Driver Rest Area on the southbound side of the Midland Highway between Prospect and Kings Meadows. This coordination ensures both projects work safely alongside each other. We will stage the construction of the two projects, only working on one at a time, to minimise traffic impacts.

For more information about this project is available here.

Can the off‑ramp be moved to the north of the Kings Meadows Link?

We looked at this option during the design process but found it wasn’t suitable. Moving the off‑ramp would require a large amount of extra land, which would increase costs and impact nearby homes and businesses.

It would also create a downhill exit that is too steep for vehicles leaving the highway, making it harder for drivers to slow down safely and increasing the chance of rear‑end crashes.

When will these upgrades happen?

Work is likely to start in May 2026, with all three upgrades expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

This timeline includes construction of the extended off‑ramp, improvements to the left‑turn lane, and installation of the new traffic‑activated signals at the roundabout.

How will the project improve safety with the new signals?

The combination of the ramp upgrade and the new traffic signals will provide a significant safety improvement.

Key benefits include:

• Reducing queuing on the highway off‑ramp, lowering the risk of rear‑end crashes
• Improving predictability as vehicles enter and circulate within the roundabout
• Maintaining free‑flow conditions during normal periods while providing control only when necessary
• Improving driver confidence and reducing congestion during peak times

Together, these upgrades will make the intersection safer and more efficient for all road users.

How will the new traffic signals work?

The new traffic signals at the roundabout will only switch on when they’re needed. Sensors will monitor traffic conditions on the Midland Highway off‑ramp, and when they detect that queues are starting to build back toward the highway, the signals will turn on.

When activated, the lights will briefly pause traffic on selected approaches to help manage the flow into the roundabout. This prevents queues from backing onto the highway, reduces congestion during busy periods, and improves safety for all road users.

Once traffic returns to normal levels, the signals will automatically switch off and the roundabout will operate as normal, with free‑flowing movement and no traffic control

Funding

This project jointly funded by the Australian and Tasmanian governments under the Road Safety Program.

Accessibility

If you would like to find out more information and you have accessibility requirements, please contact the project team (details below).

You can find out more about Transport Services' commitment to accessibility.

Contact

For more information about this project, please contact Stakeholder Engagement Consultant Sarah Sutton by phone on 0418 828 896 or by email at kingsmeadowsconnector@stategrowth.tas.gov.au