Upgrades planned by the Department of State Growth will make it “safer and easier” for traffic using the Mowbray Link to turn off, or onto, the East Tamar Highway.

A Department of State Growth spokesperson said safety at the current intersection was a concern.

“In the last five years there have been a total of 27 crashes at the East Tamar Highway and Mowbray Connector intersection,” they said. 

“In 2013 there was one serious crash and in 2016 a fatal crash occurred there.

“There have been eight minor crashes, one crash that required first aid and 16 crashes resulting in property damage.”

The spokesperson said an assessment was carried out to consider roundabouts and traffic lights for the intersection.

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“The assessment concluded that traffic lights are a better solution longer-term than a roundabout,” they said.

“Delays were modelled at about one minute for traffic lights compared to delays of up to three minutes for a roundabout.

“This is due to the large volume of vehicles entering and exiting Mowbray Link, which would cause more queuing and delays on the East Tamar Highway.

“The purpose of the intersection upgrade is to make it safer and easier to turn between the East Tamar Highway and the Mowbray Link.”

The planned upgrades will include traffic lights, new lanes, and a change to the speed limit.

The project is expected to go to tender in August, and be completed by June 2019.