Jeremy Rockliff, Premier, 23 September 2024
Making the Tasman Bridge safer
Key safety upgrades on the Tasman Bridge are progressing as the Tasmanian Government works hard to make our roads and bridges safer and more efficient.
Revised designs will be soon released to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety on the bridge, as well as the installation of safety barriers.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the Tasmanian Government remained committed to the pathway improvement project, which would keep Tasmanians safe.
“This project will focus on raising the height of the safety barriers on both sides of the bridge pathways, installing localised passing bays, improving pathway connections on each shore, and exploring one-way pathway options,” the Premier said.
“Detailed engineering reports have found that 3.5 metre-wide pathways cannot be installed along the full length of the bridge without significantly modifying its structure, which would cost far more than the project’s budget.
“This project is first and foremost about protecting human safety and that is what we will deliver.
“The Tasmanian Government has identified a workable solution that will take less time, cause less disruption and can be delivered under the project budget.
“The Government will proceed with a three metre-high safety barrier on the water side and a 1.4 metre-high roadside barrier over the length of the bridge without compromising its structural integrity.
“Importantly, we are continuing work on the strengthening of the bridge’s deck to maintain the lifespan of the bridge and allow the current high volume of traffic to continue for many years to come.
“We will also upgrade the bridge’s lane use management system, to be delivered as a separate project, to better manage traffic during peak periods and incidents.’’
The Tasmanian Government will commence consultation on the proposed pathway upgrades by the end of 2024, ahead of pathway connections and higher barriers being installed in 2025.
The Tasman Bridge Upgrade Project is supported by $130 million in funding from the Australian and Tasmanian governments.
Media release – Greater Hobart Mayors, 24 September 2024
Tasman Bridge adds to Greater Hobart’s transport woes
The Greater Hobart Mayors have criticised the decision to scale back much-needed upgrades to the Tasman Bridge, citing the floundering project as the latest example of the Tasmanian Government failing to deliver critical transport infrastructure.
Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds, Mayor Brendan Blomeley, Mayor Sue Hickey and Mayor Paula Wriedt said commuters across Greater Hobart are being let down by the State Government’s inaction and inability to deliver a modernised transport network.
Scrapping plans to widen the Tasman Bridge has been compounded by numerous transport failures across Greater Hobart in recent years, including:
- No progress on the long-awaited Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor;
- Delays and confusion surrounding the Southern Outlet transit lane, including news last week of a surprise $80 million federal bid to extend the project;
- Announcing duplicative funding for ferry terminals at Lindisfarne, Sandy Bay and Wilkinsons Point that are already fully funded by the Australian Government;
- Minimal investment in active transport and cycling infrastructure;
- Slashing Metro bus services over the past 12 months; and
- Silence on the future of the Hobart Transit Centre project.
Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds (City of Hobart):
“The wheels seem to be falling off many of the transport initiatives from the Hobart City Deal. At this rate we’re not going to meet our shared goals of reducing congestion and improving transport choices for the Hobart community.
“We are extremely disappointed by the decision to essentially scrap the Tasman Bridge upgrade. A last century Tasman Bridge is not what Hobart needs as it’s the most strategic link for our city.
“We’d like to work together with the State Government to reset transport strategy and ensure we’re funding and delivering the right projects for Hobart’s future.”
Quotes attributable to Mayor Brendan Blomeley (Clarence City Council):
“There are many examples of the State Government dragging its heels on transport infrastructure – in Clarence we’ve seen this with the Bellerive ferry terminal and the protracted realignment of Rokeby Road. However the decision to scrap its plans to widen the Tasman Bridge is beyond disappointing and incredibly short sighted.
“The Tasman Bridge is an iconic feature of Hobart and the eastern shore. To proceed with upgrades that are barely half-baked is doing a disservice to Clarence, Hobart and Tasmania more broadly. We urge the State Government to reconsider this decision and deliver the upgrades to a standard we can all be proud of.
“If the proposed designs for the upgrades are not able to be delivered, we implore the State Government to engage with us in a meaningful and collaborative way to explore solutions so we can deliver for our community.”
Quotes attributable to Mayor Sue Hickey (Glenorchy City Council):
“The State Government needs to engage with Glenorchy Council on the Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor and its plans for Bus Rapid Transit. The lack of adequate consultation in recent times has been very disappointing, particularly regarding project funding where decisions are being made without any engagement with our council.
“We again reiterate our call for the State Government to agree on timeframes and targets for progressing the NSTC, which will provide important clarity to the community, industry and other stakeholders.”
Quotes attributable to Mayor Paula Wriedt (Kingborough Council):
“We were very surprised to learn through the media last week that the state is seeking an additional $80 million from the Australian Government for the southern outlet. We fully support measures that encourage people onto buses however there needs to be much further consideration and consultation regarding the scale of this project and the ask of the Federal Government.
“Such significant federal investment could deliver a range of important transport projects across Kingborough and Greater Hobart, so we need the State Government to be upfront and engage with our councils on its plans for the southern outlet.
Brendan Blomeley is the Mayor of Clarence City Council, Sue Hickey is the Mayor of Glenorchy City Council, Anna Reynolds is the Lord Mayor of the City of Hobart and Paula Wriedt is the Mayor of Kingborough Council.
Featured image above courtesy Free Stock photo of tasman bridge | Photoeverywhere.