A “dangerous” intersection on Hobart’s busy Brooker Highway urgently needs an upgrade to prevent potential casualties, according to former mayor Bec Thomas.

The intersection, which connects Foreshore Road and Duncan Street, provides access to the high school and waterfront park, but forces drivers to cross two lanes of 80 km/h traffic.

“Every day, hundreds of vehicles dangerously drive in and out of this intersection to access Montrose Bay High School, Waterfront Park and the Montrose Bay Walkway,” Thomas said.

“This creates serious road safety issues not only for local residents, but for all users of this busy section of the Brooker Highway.”

Now MLC Thomas has questioned Liberal MLC Leonie Hiscutt about the status of the updates first proposed more than a decade ago in Parliament on Monday.

Hiscutt confirmed the upgrades are planned and funding will be sought through the Australian Government’s National Road Safety Programme.

“The project is already ready. The design of the project is now being finalized and is expected to be ready in early 2025,” she said.

“The project is complex, involves a number of critical public services and is located on one of Hobart’s busiest road corridors.”

However, Thomas expressed concern about the delay in obtaining funding, noting that the crossing was identified as a priority 13 years ago.

“It’s high time the government started this project before anyone is seriously injured or killed,” she said.

Hiscutt noted that work is expected to begin in mid-2025, with alternative funding sources being explored if the federal government’s bid is unsuccessful.

“If the national government does not provide funding for the project under the National Highway Traffic Safety Program, the State Development Department will evaluate opportunities to move the project forward using other available funding sources, as well as consider overall project priorities across the state’s road network,” she said.