The man behind road safety in Tasmania for a number of years says the decision to install traffic lights at the Mowbray connector was the worst he had ever seen.
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The former Road Safety Advisory Council chairman, minister and now alderman Jim cox said the idea was ridiculous.
“The immediate fix is without a doubt a roundabout,” Alderman Cox said.
“I think this is one of the most idiotic ideas that has been proposed when it’s proven that roundabouts create traffic flow.”
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While he admits an overpass would be ideal, he said the idea was Utopian.
“The cost and the level of traffic makes it a nice wish but not a reality,” he said.
“It is highly improbable that money would be available for an overpass.”
The traffic light solution is a State Growth project. During budget estimates on Thursday, opposition infrastructure spokesman David O’Byrne asked why traffic lights were chosen.
Infrastructure Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the solution was the only option on the table at the moment and the likely option.
“I'm open to views on this particular matter ... and we'll work through the process and take account of people's views, but will be guided by the safest option,” he said.
Transport Infrastructure Services general manager Shane Gregory said a roundabout at the connector was first considered as the most likely solution to reduce crashes, but ruled out.
He said roundabouts in high-traffic volume areas worked best when there was a balance of traffic flow, but it was uneven at this particular site.
Mr Gregory said this would cause big cues in a decades' time at the connector's northern approach from George Town.
"The traffic signals will lower crashes and maintain the efficiency of movement," he said.
When speaking to The Examiner, Mr O’Byrne said concerned residents had contacted his Northern-based colleagues.
“[The Liberals] don’t support a grade separation for that intersection because it’s too expensive,” he said.
“[The minister] is ignoring the view of the local community, he is ignoring the view of the RACT. It’s still an expensive traffic solution, but creates more problems in terms of safety.”
Mr O’Byrne said the government had “absolutely” made the wrong decision.
“Traffic lights are a short-sighted, cheap outcome and if they’re really serious about dealing with safety and congestion they need to commit the money.”
In data collected by Fairfax Media, more than 60 per cent of respondents said they believed an overpass was the best option. Less than 10 per cent of the 1100 respondents said they wanted traffic lights.
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