Browns Road Reconstruction

Throughout the project, commuters will experience a number of temporary travel changes:

• One‑way travel: Browns Road will be uphill‑only between the Channel Highway and 25 Browns Road during Phase 2.
• Southern Outlet changes: Construction will require a temporary closure of the left‑hand southbound Kingston slip lane, meaning all southbound Kingston traffic must proceed to the Huon Highway roundabout to access Kingston.
• Changed merging and increased congestion is expected during peak periods.

Clear roadside signage, detour maps and VMS boards will be in place at all times.

Metro & Tassielink

• Northbound buses (to Hobart): No changes.
• Southbound buses:
  • Phase 1 & 3: Buses will bypass Firthside and travel directly to Kingston; passengers must change buses at Kingston Central to return north to Browns Road.
  • Phase 2: Buses will enter Browns Road and stop at the Groningen Road turning circle before returning to Kingston via the temporary access lane.
• The southbound Browns Road bus stop will not operate during any phase of the project.

Wisbys School Bus

• Phase 1 & 3: Operating as normal.
• Phase 2: School buses will not travel back down Browns Road; students who usually catch the bus on Browns Road must board approximately 15 minutes earlier, as the bus travels north before accessing the temporary lane.

For the most up‑to‑date bus information, visit Transport Tasmania – Transport Services

If you live outside Kingborough or regularly use the Southern Outlet, Channel Highway, or Huon Highway, please be aware:

• Temporary detours and slip‑lane closures will affect through‑traffic.
• Travel time may increase, particularly during peak hours.
• Merging conditions will change near the temporary access lane.
• Bus routes and stop locations will differ for the duration of the works.

Residents within the work zone will experience temporary impacts, including:

• Interruptions to driveway access, on-street parking and travel routes
• Dust, noise and vibration
• Limited turning and temporary access restrictions
  Contractors will provide advance notice and undertake door‑knocks before any major impacts.
• “No-Through Road” and “Road Closed Ahead” signage will be in place during Phase 2 to direct Kingston-bound traffic to the temporary access lane.

• Businesses along Browns Road may experience delays for customers and deliveries.
• During Phase 2, Kingston‑bound customers and heavy vehicles should be advised to use the Southern Outlet temporary access lane.
• One-way arrangements apply only between the Channel Highway and 25 Browns Road.
• Businesses north of the Australia Post Depot will still have two-way access, though turning and manoeuvring options are limited.

A new footpath is being constructed. During construction pedestrians are advised to follow the contractor’s instructions.

Council will keep the community informed through:

• Letters to residents and businesses
• Contractor door‑knocks
• Site signage and VMS boards
• Council website updates
• Social media posts
• Media releases and local newspaper advertisements

Once complete, the Browns Road upgrade will deliver:

• Safer and more efficient road layout
• Improved pedestrian connectivity and footpath access
• Reduced crash risk at the Channel Highway intersection
• A smoother, more reliable travel experience for all road users

For updates throughout the project, including detours and construction progress, visit:
👉 This webpage
👉 Council social media channels
👉 Transport Tasmania (public transport updates)

1. What is the Browns Road project about?

The project is the second stage of the Browns Road upgrade, improving approximately 400m of road between the Channel Highway and Australia Post Depot (32 Browns Road). Works include full road reconstruction, new kerbs and guttering, a new concrete footpath, stormwater upgrades, and a retaining wall.

2. Why is this work needed?

The pavement on Browns Road has deteriorated and requires full reconstruction. The Browns Road/Channel Highway intersection also has safety issues, including an inadequate corner radius and lack of protective barriers. A new footpath is being installed to improve pedestrian safety and connectivity.

3. When will the works take place?

The project runs from March to June/July 2026, with communication beginning in January and construction phased over this period.

4. What are the three phases of the project?

• Phase 1: Construction of a temporary Southern Outlet access lane; Browns Road off‑ramp closed for ~10 days.
• Phase 2: Main Browns Road reconstruction; Browns Road becomes one‑way uphill for ~16 weeks.
• Phase 3: Removal of temporary access lane and reinstatement of the standard off‑ramp.

5. How will traffic flow change during construction?

• Browns Road will be one‑way uphill from the Channel Highway to the Australia Post Depot during Phase 2.
• A new temporary access lane will allow Firthside traffic to enter the Southern Outlet directly.
• The Southern Outlet southbound slip lane will be temporarily closed, with detours via the Huon Highway roundabout

6. Will the Browns Road off‑ramp be closed?

Yes. During Phase 1, the Browns Road off‑ramp from the Southern Outlet will be closed to all traffic for approximately 10 days. Commuters must detour via Kingston.

7. How will this impact people who live outside Kingborough (commuters)?

Non‑local commuters may experience:

• Detours via the Huon Highway roundabout due to slip‑lane and off‑ramp closures.
• Increased congestion during peak periods.
• Changed merging conditions on the Southern Outlet near the temporary access lane.

8. How will buses be affected?

Metro & Tassielink (Public Transport)

• Northbound buses (toward Hobart) run as normal.
• Southbound buses:
  • Phase 1 & 3: Will skip Browns Road entirely; passengers for Firthside must transfer at Kingston Central.
  • Phase 2: Will enter Browns Road, serve Groningen Road turning circle, then return to Kingston via the temporary access lane.
• The southbound Browns Road stop will not operate at any time during works.

School Buses (Wisbys)

• Phase 1 & 3: Normal routes.
• Phase 2: Students boarding on Browns Road must board 15 minutes earlier as the bus travels north before returning via the temporary lane.

9. Will pedestrian access be affected?

Yes. Temporary pedestrian detours may be required during construction of the new concrete footpath. Signage will guide pedestrians through safe alternative routes.

10. How will residents’ access be affected?

Properties within the construction area may experience:

• Temporary changes to driveway access
• Limited turning opportunities
• Noise, dust, and vibration impacts
  Council and contractors will provide advance notice and undertake door‑knocks for major disruptions.

11. Are businesses affected?

Yes. Customer access routes and delivery paths may change depending on the construction phase. Businesses south of the Firthside ramps will need to guide Kingston‑bound customers and deliveries toward the temporary access lane.

12. What are the expected delays?

Commuters—particularly those using the Southern Outlet, Channel Highway or Huon Highway—should expect longer travel times, especially during peak periods and slip‑lane closures.

13. How will the community be kept informed?

Council will communicate via:

• Letters to residents and businesses
• Contractor door‑knocks
• VMS boards and road signage
• Council website and project page
• Social media updates (with optional paid reach)
• Media releases and local newspaper ads

14. What are the long‑term benefits?

Once complete, the project will deliver:

• Safer intersection and road layout
• A fully reconstructed road surface
• Improved pedestrian connections
• More reliable traffic flow through this key section of the network

15. Where can commuters find real‑time updates?

• Council’s website and social media will share project updates, detours and staging changes.
• Bus passengers should check Transport Tasmania for the most current public transport updates.