No right-turn: traffic trial to tackle Charles Street Bridge congestion

From October 26, motorists will no longer be able to turn right from Goderich Street into Lindsay Street, while the right turns will also be removed to and from the Esplanade. Access to the turning lanes will be restricted.

The trial will last until late January.

It is timed to coincide with the opening of new traffic lights at the intersection of Goderich and Gleadow streets on Monday. Motorists travelling from the north will only be able to access the Bunnings precinct via this right-hand turn, taking the new access road behind the big box shopping area.

From the south, motorists can access Invermay by travelling further north up the East Tamar Highway to the Forster Street intersection.

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The Department of State Growth designed the trial as part of the $92.5 million Launceston and Tamar Valley Traffic Vision, incorporating priorities from the City of Launceston's Invermay Traffic Master Plan.

Launceston mayor Albert van Zetten said the council was fully supportive of the trial.

"Currently, motorists heading north wanting to turn right off the Charles Street Bridge significantly impact vehicles queuing in the right-hand lane heading north," Cr van Zetten said.

"This causes unnecessary banking at that intersection and stops a free flow of traffic from Lower Charles Street across the bridge, and then further along Goderich Street.

"Removing these right-hand turn lanes in both directions will also allow for more traffic signal phase time for vehicles travelling north-south on Goderich Street, which will help clear congestion through that area."

Councillor Paul Spencer first raised the idea for the Esplanade last year, urging State Growth to consider a trial.

Data shows that about 50 per cent of vehicles in Launceston have the CBD as their final destination, compared with more than 80 per cent in Hobart, meaning through-traffic flow was more important.

There will be no changes to the right-turn from Lindsay Street heading south over the Charles Street Bridge, however the trial will remove one phase from the traffic lights sequence, giving more time for the other phases.

This right-turn has long been a source of frustration for Launceston drivers, who often need to wait two or three phases before being able to enter the intersection.

Last year, Invermay residents claimed that adding more traffic lights along Goderich Street would cause traffic to bank further north towards the Mowbray Connector - a circumstance that occurs during peak hours.

But State Growth claimed this was not supported by the department's modelling.

The trial will be reviewed in January to determine whether the changes become permanent.

The Department of State Growth also plans to begin public consultation in November on the proposed Tamar River crossing linking the East and West Tamar highways. A feasibility, design and costing study has focused on three alignments.

A $1.5 million feasibility study for an eastern bypass will begin by the end of the year.

The results of the final public consultation on West Tamar Highway near Gravelly Beach Road are expected to be published within a month. State Growth reopened consultation after dozens of nearby residents raised concerns about the upgrades.

Data from the smart traffic upgrade - which involves the addition of CCTV and other traffic monitoring devices to intersections throughout Launceston - will also help to guide future traffic priorities for the city.