New traffic lights on one of Hobart’s busiest highways are being fine-tuned as students head back to school today, with drivers warned to expect some delays.
State Growth has switched on signals at the Brooker Highway intersection with Foreshore Road and Duncan Street at Montrose.
The department, which is responsible for Tasmania’s state roads, says it is actively adjusting the lights to manage the return of school traffic.
The intersection provides access to Montrose Bay High School and Montrose Bay Foreshore Park, making it a pinch point during drop-off and pick-up times.
“When we install new traffic lights, there can be some bumps along the way,” Roads Tasmania said.
“Traffic patterns are still settling and with school going back … you might experience some delays.”
The agency said it would remotely monitor the intersection and tweak the signals to achieve the best traffic flow in all directions, but cautioned it could take time.
“Every weekday, we are tracking traffic data in real time and making tweaks to the signals to improve how they work,” it said.
“We monitor the flow of traffic and collect data at all times of the day.”
The upgrade was prompted by a number of crashes at the intersection, where turning vehicles previously had to cross two lanes of oncoming traffic.
The intersection is especially busy during school hours, while freight vehicles also use it to reach industrial sites on Duncan Street and beyond.
The completed project includes dedicated signalised turning lanes, new pedestrian crossings and a sealed car park on Foreshore Road.
“We’ll balance the needs of school traffic, pedestrians and the traffic heading along the highway,” Roads Tasmania said.
