There has been extensive community consultation about how to make the intersection at Huon Highway and Mountain River Road safer.
After an accident last year, the speed limit was reduced to 80 kilometres an hour.
Community feedback then highlighted issues such as speed limits, limited visibility, parking, and the need for safe pedestrian crossing points at the bus stops.
Safety was the main concern of respondents.
Four designs were discussed, none of which served to address all the issues raised.
Elements were therefore taken from each design to address all of the most urgent safety concerns.
This ‘hybrid’ plan will cost $3 million; funded by the federal government’s commitment of $40 million for upgrades along the Huon Highway corridor.
Transport Services said that they had found larger-scale upgrade options had several flaws, including impacts to local properties and services, significant design and delivery times, and high costs.
The response from the community on local media was mixed; many felt the design did not go far enough and should have included a roundabout or an underpass.
The Tasmanian Times pointed out that there was no mention of parking in the design, even though people would be picking up and dropping off passengers.
There had been considerable discussion about a ‘park and ride’ facility and using the Sandfly intersection upgrade as a working model.
However, in early December 2025 RoadsTas stated that the concept design for the first stage of pedestrian safety improvements was complete and that work would begin early 2026.
This did not eventuate.
A more recent update in March 2026 said;
“The detailed design for the proposed improvements is currently progressing well and is expected to be finalised by the end of March 2026.”
The project will be put out to tender at the end of April 2026, with construction scheduled to begin mid-year.
The details of the Mountain River Road Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project can be found here: tinyurl.com/huonhwy
