The reconstruction of Kingston’s CBD along the Channel Highway from Hutchins Street to Freeman Street will begin on Tuesday 14 February.
Kingborough Mayor, Paula Wriedt said in 2023 our community would see Kingston’s CBD transformed into an inviting destination with improved pedestrian access for all.
“The upgrades will provide improved cycling facilities, create new green areas throughout the CBD and create outdoor dining opportunities for cafes and restaurants along the main strip,” Cr Wriedt said.
“Improvements to the Channel Highway will include building a new bus interchange at 40 Channel Highway.
“This will involve demolishing the current building on that site.
“The bus interchange will be located on the corner of Goshawk Way and Channel Highway and will take Hobart bound buses off the highway, freeing up more parking and enhancing the commuting experience for travellers.
“Whilst the bus interchange is being built, a few all-day parking spots will be unavailable in the John Street carpark due to the expanded building site.
“The entry and exit points to John Street carpark will also be relocated to Goshawk Way.
“Skipper Lane carpark, located about 4 minutes’ walk away, has 152 all day carparking spaces available, which we are confident will be able to absorb any loss in parking from John Street carpark.
“Upgrades to the CBD will also include improving the south bound bus area on Channel Highway.
“A new bus shelter will enhance commuter experiences traveling south.
“To speed up overall construction and save costs on the street upgrade, a small section of the Channel Highway, from John Street to Hutchins Street will be closed to traffic at the end of February, for approximately 10 weeks.
“Although traffic will be restricted, pedestrians will have access to all the businesses and services on the Channel Highway during construction.
“Due to the upgraded road network around central Kingston, Council is confident that traffic disruption will be kept to a minimum.
“Traffic will be able to travel around the CBD via Goshawk Way, John Street and Church Street.
“Whilst the Channel Highway is closed, there will be alternative bus stops opened on Goshawk Way, for both inbound and outbound commuters.
“Commuters who want to travel on Metro bus routes 407, 408, 409, 427, 428, 429 and X08 will need to use temporary bus stops installed on Goshawk Way.
“Anyone wishing to travel on a Tassielink Transit to and from Huon Valley or Hobart that catches the bus from Channel Hwy main bus stop will need to catch the bus on Goshawk Way.
“There will be signage placed at all these bus stops, with prior warning for commuters.
“Our aim is to transform Kingston’s CBD from a car-centric main road to an attractive and vibrant centre that will attract further investment and provide an engaging urban environment for our residents and visitors.
“Please continue to support all of the businesses along Channel Highway throughout the construction period and be reassured that access to the restaurants, cafes, health practitioners and businesses in the area will remain for pedestrians.”
Parking is available at Channel Court for shopping, John Street Carpark, and the Skipper Lane Carpark for customers in the Kingston area.
The design agreed by Kingborough Council includes the following features:
- More street trees and vegetation
- Bike lane for southern bound cyclists
- 3 metre wide footpaths
- Extra parking spaces on the street
- Relocation of the City bound bus off the main road
- Enhanced seating and shelters for bus commuters
- New zebra crossings for greater pedestrian safety
- Traffic calming measures
- Central median island with streetlights and CCTV
- Street furniture and street art
- Road surface raised at the Hutchins Street intersection to improve accessibility and slow traffic down.
Councillors agreed to award the contract for the CBD upgrade to BlackCap Construction at the Council Meeting on the 19 December 2022.
For more detailed plans and design, please visit Council website.