Legislative Council, Thursday 9 November 2023

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to the works being undertaken at Somerset to replace the Cam River Bridge, noting the additional traffic congestion and long delays in accessing the bridge at peak times in the morning and afternoon getting across the bridge since the Murchison Highway was closed and school has returned:

Is there any requirement to provide traffic management services to assist traffic flows during peak periods;

a. If so, who is responsible for this; and
b. If not, will the Minister consider imposing a requirement for traffic management during peak traffic periods?

ANSWER:

I have been advised by the Department of State Growth that peak delays are not related to the current Murchison Highway diversion and are generally within the normal expected travel time range for that section of the Bass Highway. Traffic delays are expected during construction works due to the requirement to reduce speeds to ensure workers’ safety on the roads. Contractors are responsible for traffic management within a work site and must not cause delays greater than eight minutes without advanced notification to the travelling public. There were some recent lane closures required for service relocations near the Cam River Bridge but these only occurred as night works and did not result in any impacts to peak traffic flows.