Lane Closures and Speed Restrictions: Commuter Update for Southern Outlet and North Hobart

Commuter Outlook: Major Highway Upgrades and Local Roadworks

Good morning, Hobart. As we head into Tuesday, February 17, 2026, commuters should prepare for a busy morning on the roads. With the school term now in full swing and several major infrastructure projects entering critical phases, extra travel time is highly recommended for those moving through the Southern Outlet and the northern suburbs.

Southern Outlet and Huon Valley Delays

The most significant impacts today are expected on the Southern Outlet as part of the ongoing freight capacity and transit lane upgrades. Motorists traveling from the Huon Valley and Kingborough should take note of the following specific work zones:

• Leslie Vale Section: Road crews are active from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. Expect lane closures and reduced speed limits to be in place throughout the day. Commuters should be aware that these safety restrictions and reduced speeds are often maintained around the clock to protect the work site.
• Kingston Section: In an effort to minimize the impact on the heaviest morning rush, major lane closures for this section are scheduled to begin at 9:00 am and continue until 6:00 pm. While this provides a clearer run for early-morning workers, those traveling mid-morning or during the afternoon peak should anticipate significant bottlenecks near the transit lane connector sites.

City and Northern Suburbs Works

Several local road projects are also currently underway, which may affect those using alternative routes or navigating inner-city neighborhoods:

• North Hobart: Night works on Elizabeth Street, between Elphinstone Road and Rupert Avenue, are scheduled to wrap up by 6:00 am. While the road is expected to be open for the morning peak, motorists should stay alert for minor temporary surfacing or changes to line marking in the area.
• New Town: Queens Walk remains under heavy construction between Gas Road and Selfs Point Road. Active works are scheduled from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, impacting access to the Selfs Point industrial precinct and local sporting facilities.
• Glebe: Maintenance continues on Edward Street between Brooker Avenue and Short Street. Work hours are 7:00 am to 4:00 pm, which may cause minor delays for those attempting to bypass the main Brooker Highway intersections.

Public Transport and School Traffic

Metro Tasmania has confirmed that all general access and school bus services are scheduled to run to their standard timetables today. With school bus services having resumed full operations earlier this month, traffic volumes near major school hubs in Sandy Bay and the northern suburbs will be high between 8:00 am and 9:00 am. Commuters using the bus network are advised to monitor service apps, as highway congestion on the Southern Outlet can cause cascading delays for inbound services from the south.

As always, Hobart motorists are encouraged to leave early and maintain a safe following distance through construction zones to ensure everyone reaches their destination safely.