Channel Highway

Key components of the Hobart City Deal Southern Projects commitments include a Kingborough Park and Ride, a Southern Outlet Transit Lane between Olinda Grove and Macquarie St and bus priority on Macquarie and Davey Streets.

In addition the Department of State Growth is investigating improvements for the Channel Hwy. 

Channel Hwy - Algona Road to Sandfly Corridor Study Report

Nov 2020. The Department of State Growth has completed a planning study along the Channel Highway between Kingston and Margate, to investigate safety concerns, and consider how the Channel Highway meets the current and future community need.

The consultation held in April/May 2020 found:

• Strong support for a dedicated cycling/walking pathway on this section of the Highway to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians and to encourage increased participation in active transport both for commuters and recreational bicycle riders.
• Cycling safety is a concern on this section of the Highway both in terms of the condition of the road shoulders and behaviour of passing motorists.
• Upgrade and seal shoulders to 1.5 m along corridor.
• Road users stated that the bridge at North West Bay River is believed to be inadequate for pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders to safety negotiate. The narrowness of the bridge, high volumes and speed of passing traffic were provided as reasons for this.

The Department of State Growth’s response was a feasibility study for an off-road shared path from Margate to Huntingfield, shoulders widened and sealed to a consistent standard and a walking & cycling bridge crossing at North West Bay River.

The next steps of the investigation will include further analysis and design of the opportunities identified to enable funding applications to be developed. These projects have not yet been funded through the Budget process. Once funding is secured to prepare more detailed analysis, feasibility studies and design of the opportunities identified an application for project funding and implementation can commence.

Kingborough Park and Ride

Nov 2020. The Department of State Growth is seeking feedback on concept designs for two proposed park and ride facilities at Huntingfield and Firthside, supported by additional and improved bus services. This will include additional peak period bus services on the Huon Highway, Channel Highway and from Blackmans Bay. The proposed facilities include upgraded bus passenger amenities, expanded parking, and improved bicycle and pedestrian access.

Cycling South would like to see the following access routes developed for all-abilities cycling to the Park & Ride from Blackmans Bay, Kingston, Maranoa Heights, Spring Farm and Huntingfield.

• Eastern access - Algona Road shared pathway (new)
• Southern access – Huntingfield Drive shared pathway (extension)
• Northern access – Channel Hwy separated cycleway (new)

View the concept plans and provide feedback.

Kingston

Apr 2008. The Channel Hwy through the Kingston shopping area has been upgraded and council has taken the opportunity to provide for cyclists within the scope of the project. Bike lanes have been included in the design and have now been marked on the road between Summerleas Rd and John St. The design will not only provide designated space for bike riders but it will also calm traffic and improve the area for all road users.

Jun 07. Council has released plans for an upgrade of the Channel Hwy between Summerleas Rd and John St in Kingston. The plans include improved streetscape and traffic calming, as well as a bike lane in both directions on the Channel Hwy. When complete, people on bicycles will have improved access to the Kingston shopping area.

Huntingfield - Kingston bypass

Nov 2011. Green bicycle lanes will be marked on the Huntingfield roundabout to increase motorist's awareness of cyclists using the roundabout. Cyclists are permitted to follow the green lanes around the roundabout and can cross the exits, where there is no green paint. However, cyclists continuing around the roundabout  in the green cycle lane MUST GIVE WAY to any vehicle leaving the roundabout.

Depending on the time of day and traffic volumes the level of difficulty in travelling through the roundabout will vary. The more legs you need to cross, the trickier it gets so consider approaching the roundabout from a direction that minimises the number of exits you will need to cross. For example northbound cyclists may find continuing on the bypass and exiting at Spring Farm Rd or Summerleas Rd preferable to making a right hand turn on the roundabout to reach the Channel Hwy in Kingston. If doing a circuit training ride you might like to consider travelling in a direction that minimises crossing roundabout exits. Alternatively  be prepared to stop at each exit until the coast is clear.

Please note that cyclists turning left should indicate that they are doing so. Cyclists continuing around the roundabout must also indicate they are turning to the right.

July 2011. An aerial overview which shows the plans for the Kingston Bypass (2MB) can be viewed here. The project includes an extension of the Whitewater Creek Path and an underpass at Algona Rd providing a future link for the Coffee Creek Track between Howden and Kingston. See Kingborough Council page for more.

Aug 09. It appears that the recommendations made by KBUG and CyclingSouth have been included. The multi-lane roundabout at Huntingfield will be problematic for cyclists but is difficult to address the issues without replacing the roundabout with signals. Pedestrian and cycling facilities including: o Extension of the pedestrian underpass adjacent to the existing Kingston High School; o Reinstatement of the shared path and footpath on Summerleas Road overpass; o A 3.0 metre wide shared path on the northern side of Spring Farm Road and a 1.5 metre wide footpath on the southern side; o On road cycle lanes at the Algona Road roundabout; o Construction of a pedestrian underpass at Algona Road linking Huntingfield to the greater Kingston township; and o Extension of the Whitewater Creek Recreation trail from Summerleas Road to Spring Farm Road.

Algona Rd roundabout - Large multi-lane roundabouts are highly problematic and risky for cyclists in general and traffic signals are preferable. Under the current plans for the bypass there are concerns that in morning peak times it will be virtually impossible for cyclists to access Kingston from the Margate direction using the green bike lanes due to the constant stream of traffic. An alternative will be for cyclists to continue along the bypass and exit at Summerleas Rd. Outside peak times the design may suit experienced adult cyclists but it won't accommodate the needs of students riding to the new school at Huntingfield or accessing the new sports centre.
For southbound cyclists along the Channel Hwy or bypass, the Algona Rd exit will be difficult to cross due to 2 lanes approaching from the bypass and one from the Channel Hwy by the Antartic Division. Cycling groups have been pushing for a grade separated crossing over or under Algona Rd to remove one of the main barriers for human-powered travel between Huntingfield and Kingston. This connection will be especially important when the new school is constructed in Huntingfield. The current plans show a shared pathway but users will have to cross the lanes over Algona Rd.