Roadworks and traffic management in Tasmania
About to hit the road? Use this page to help you plan a safe and enjoyable journey around Tassie.
Tasmanian roads are unique.
Our beautiful state has coastal, winding roads, straight narrow highways, a lot of wildlife, and four seasons in one day.
Image: The Lyell Highway, Gormanston to Queenstown.
Roadworks in Tasmania
On your journey around our state, it is likely that you will encounter roadworks and traffic management.
You may need to allow extra travel time for your journey.
Traffic management is in place at roadworks for everyone’s safety, and by law you are required to follow roadworks speed limits at all times.
Image: A worker on a sealed road holding a "Slow" sign in front of a white car. There is a variable message sign opposite saying "Roadworks Ahead".
When approaching roadworks, remember:
- slow down through roadworks
- follow directions of traffic controllers and signs
- be patient and be attentive.
You may encounter a reduced speed limit at roadworks sites when no one is working.
There are many reasons for this, such as no line marking or barriers, the road surface may not be safe to return to the regular speed limit, there might be an unfenced drop-off or changes to traffic conditions.
The need to slow down may not be obvious at times, but reduced speed limits are there for your safety and the safety of road workers.
Signs that are commonly used at roadworks sites in Tasmania
Sign
What it means
You are approaching a roadworks site
You must obey the posted speed limits
There are roadworkers ahead
A traffic controller is controlling the flow of traffic ahead
You must drive slowly
You must stop your vehicle
The roadworks site has ended
Journey planning
Find out where roadworks are happening on your journey with the Roadworks Roundup.
The Roadworks Roundup is published every Friday afternoon and lists all our planned works for the next two weeks.
Image: Tasmania's East Coast.
Notice something that needs our attention?
Report an issue or safety hazard regarding a state road, bridge, or traffic signal to 1300 139 933.
Emergency road closures
Sometimes roads may be closed because of emergency situations. Ice, snow, storm and flood damage, fallen trees or rocks, and smoke from bushfires can all be factors that may require roads to be closed.
All emergency road closures are determined and managed by Tasmania Police.
Information on road closures can be found at Tas Police Community Alerts website here: police.tas.gov.au/community-alerts
Information on general emergencies such as storm, flood and bushfire can be found on the TasAlert website here: alert.tas.gov.au
Slow down for road workers
Speeding drivers put road workers’ lives at risk.
It is dangerous to ignore road works speed limits and to drive inattentively though road works sites. You are required by law to obey roadworks speed limits.
Road workers are building better and safer roads for the benefit of all Tasmanians and visitors to the state.
