Dilston/Windermere residents are being told it would cost too much to build an overpass to connect to the $60million East Tamar highway upgrade. The State department (DIER) and consultants Pitt & Sherry plan to build a T intersection for residents to access the Gunns East Tamar highway.
No risk assessment has been undertaken.
Traffic turning right to travel to Launceston would have to cross two lanes of highspeed (100kph) northbound traffic.
If several log trucks are using the lefthand lane, it will be extremely difficult to see faster traffic in the overtaking lane. This would be dangerous for slower accelerating vehicles such as school buses. Peak northern traffic flow is estimated at more than 400 vehicles per hour.
DIER and Pitt & Sherry were unable to give an example of this type of intersection (right hand turn across two lanes of high speed traffic) anywhere else in the state.
Foggy conditions in the area are likely to exacerbate the problem in winter.
Beverly
Designing a highway deathtrap for Dilston and Windermere residen
"DIER and Pitt & Sherry were unable to give an example of this type of intersection (right hand turn across two lanes of high speed traffic) anywhere else in the state."
Beverly......
Seems DIER and Pitt & Sherry have very short term memory loss.
The intersection of the Batman Highway with East Tamar Highway is just such an intersection....and that has 3 lanes...one an overtaking lane!!!
Highly dangerous situation faced by numerous commuters every day.
....and that is why both DIER and Pitt & Sherry carried out tests on both the highway and the above mentioned intersection over the last few months.
The plan was to construct a large round-a-bout incorporating the Batman Highway, East Tamar Highway and East Arm Roads.
The original plan was to take the Batman Highway branch under the East Tamar Highway, loop it around to the East Arm road, then taper it into the East Tamar Highway.
Last I heard of it, it was being "shelved" as being too expensive.
What is the price of a life??
I remember the name of the person in charge of the "geo-whatever" disipline carring out the soil testing at the site. Ala.
If the plan at Dilston is as you state it, then be prepared for lengthy delays in accessing the East Tamar Highway from Dilston....you need to remember that traffic is sporadic. That is, once one lane is finally clear, the lane from the opposite direction inevitably has traffic flowing through the intersection.