Client: Department of State Growth
Year: 2019 - 2021
JMG provided design and community consultation for the new Sandfly junction on the Huon Highway. The design activities took place in 2020, and construction was completed September 2021. Prior to the re-design, this intersection enjoyed some of the worst crash statistics in Tasmania. The catalyst for the improvements came from an incident where it was shown that a school bus could not safely navigate the junction, the design brief was therefore to provide an upgrade that improved safety, but did not include a bridge or “grade separated solution”. Capacity improvements were not a priority in the project brief.
The initial scope commenced as a $2M upgrade to allow busses by widening the original configuration, however, when JMG designers advised that this solution would not meet Austroads Guide to Road Design criteria, an alternative was sought and JMG presented the design option that was endorsed by the community, industry and other key stakeholders, an elongated wide median treatment:
This alternative design, the first of its kind in Tasmania, drew upon JMG’s in depth understanding of road design, community expectations and the ability to provide best value solutions. We understand the works were executed with very little variation JMG are pleased to say there hasn't been any accidents in the first year of operation. The layout wasn’t without opposition from some of the more vocal members of the community, however, after its opening and once motorists had some familiarisation with the intersection it is more widely celebrated as a success.