The Tasmanian government has launched a corridor study of the Lyell Highway and safer cycling infrastructure is one of the issues to be considered.
The study follows recent examination of the Channel Highway, West and East Tamar highways and Tasman Highway and extends from Granton through to Strahan.
It is the first step in enacting the state and federal governments’ $100 million funding commitment to improve the highway between Granton and New Norfolk.
While the funding announcement’s media release focused on improving the road for people driving, the government has an obligation to ensure improved active transport access under its Walk, Wheel, Ride Policy.
Consultation for the study has begun with an online survey and interactive map at https://engage.stategrowth.tas.gov.au/lyell-highway-corridor-strategy and closes on Monday 18 November.
Some of the suggestions on the map include:
- sealed shoulders of at least 1m width between Granton and New Norfolk
- sealed shoulders of 2-metre width west of New Norfolk
- sealed cycling path in New Norfolk to connect Page and Bridge streets with the Esplanade
- conversion of the disused rail line on the northern side of the river west of New Norfolk to a cycling path.
Wider, sealed shoulders would benefit confident riders and are also an essential road safety feature for drivers.
A small thing that would benefit people riding bicycles and motorcycles is the removal of unused rail lines over the highway near Lawitta Road. The rail is sharply angled over the road at the bottom of a rise and poses a crash risk to two-wheeled vehicles.
Also needed is All Ages and Abilities infrastructure on the entry to and exit from New Norfolk. The new estates bordering the highway have few safe, sealed paths for people walking and riding into town, and it’s a similar situation heading out of town.
The other consideration is tourism and the opportunity to provide a safe cycleway between Granton and New Norfolk to link the Intercity Cycleway with a future rail trail on the disused rail line between New Norfolk and Maydena.
If the government built a path along the Lyell Highway it would provide a two-day ride from Hobart with an overnight stay in New Norfolk. It could be the first step in creating a multi-day family ride that would attract tourists from overseas and internationally as other rail trails have done.
Images: Google Maps.
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