Traffic management plans across the North Bank and Inveresk precincts will be released “at an early stage”, says State Growth Minister Peter Gutwein.
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He said as the state government and City of Launceston work through the development phase of the University and North Bank projects, the community would be engaged fully to understand and bring forward any suggestions they might have on traffic in the area.
“We understand that here, in the heart of Launceston, potentially having tens of thousands of university students, but also the opportunity to come to attractions like (North Bank), is going to put strain on our traffic network,” Mr Gutwein said.
“That’s why we, very sensibly, included in the budget the funds to enable the planning to occur to ensure that we can comfortably accommodate that.”
Mr Gutwein said $500,000 had been allocated towards the traffic study for Invermay and the rest of Launceston.
The average number of vehicles crossing the Charles Street Bridge each day is is 32,680 and a 2012 report said there was already a “high level of saturation” at the Lindsay-Goderick-Charles streets intersection.
It said traffic flow was likely to be significantly altered as developments were completed.
While the most recent data from 2009 showed an average of 19,320 vehicles cross the Victoria Street Bridge each day. Launceston mayor Albert van Zetten said the North Bank development, which had its first sod turned this week, should be complete by June, 2018.
“We want people to come here, enjoy themselves, have some food and play in the fantastic new playground, which will probably be the best in Tasmania,” he said.
“So many things are going to be happening around this area of the city, more people are going to be coming towards the river to the water edge and that’s what we want to see.”
The City of Launceston is also working with the Department of State Growth to upgrade Launceston's traffic signals in a $3 million program.