Salamanca Market Closures and CBD Night Works Impact Saturday Commute

Smooth Saturday Morning Start with Weekend Closures in Effect

As Hobart enters the Eight Hours Day long weekend, commuters and visitors should prepare for the standard Saturday disruptions around the waterfront and ongoing infrastructure projects in the CBD. While the morning peak is non-existent on a Saturday, the influx of visitors for the Salamanca Market and the exodus for the holiday break will see increased activity on major arteries throughout the day.

Salamanca Market and Waterfront Access

As is standard every Saturday, Salamanca Place is closed to all vehicular traffic between Montpelier Retreat and the Silos. This closure is in effect from 5:30 am to 6:00 pm to accommodate the Salamanca Market. Motorists are reminded that parking is strictly prohibited in this zone during these hours. Vehicles left in the market area after the 5:30 am cut-off risk being issued infringement notices and towed to a holding area adjacent to the market.

For those visiting the waterfront, the City of Hobart recommends using the Evans Street car park or the various multi-storey car parks in the city centre to avoid congestion. The walk from the Elizabeth Street bus mall to the market is approximately seven minutes, making public transport a highly recommended alternative for those looking to avoid the difficulty of finding street parking.

CBD Roadworks and Infrastructure Upgrades

Major night works continue at the intersection of Liverpool Street and Murray Street. While active construction is primarily scheduled between 6:00 pm and 6:00 am, commuters should be aware of potential remaining equipment, temporary surfaces, or altered lane markings during the day. This project is part of a significant infrastructure upgrade scheduled to run through early April, and motorists are advised to exercise caution and obey all temporary signage when navigating this central hub.

• Queens Walk, New Town: Significant roadworks are continuing between Gas Road and Selfs Point Road. Disruption is expected between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm, which may affect those traveling toward the northern suburbs.
• Tasman Bridge: Ongoing upgrades to safety barriers and pathways are in progress. While no full closures are scheduled for today, the high volume of long-weekend traffic heading toward the Eastern Shore and the airport may result in slight delays due to minor lane narrowings.
• Sandy Bay: The bridge structure across the Sandy Bay Rivulet near Quayle Street remains closed to vehicular traffic in the interest of public safety until further notice.

Public Transport and Long Weekend Outlook

Metro Tasmania is operating on its standard Saturday timetable today. Passengers should be aware that with Monday, 9 March being the Eight Hours Day public holiday, services will shift to a Sunday/Public Holiday schedule after the weekend. For those traveling today, the Metro Tas app provides real-time tracking to help navigate any minor delays caused by increased weekend traffic and market-related congestion.

Travelers heading out of Hobart via the Brooker Highway or the Southern Outlet should plan for heavier-than-normal traffic this afternoon as locals head away for the three-day break. Drive to the conditions and allow extra travel time to reach your destination safely.