Plenty of issues for spans to cross

THE provision of new bridges in Tasmania’s south continues to attract headlines, with much debate about projects crucial to the state’s future infrastructure needs.

The Bridgewater Bridge replacement, tipped to cost at least $576 million, is the centrepiece of the $1.6 billion Hobart City Deal.

The plan is for a new 1.6km bridge built downstream of the existing bridge and causeway, with a 110km/h speed limit.

But not everyone has supported the proposal – with three mayors in Greater Hobart among those asking questions, including whether it is the best way to spend a large portion of the funding package. The Federal Government’s own infrastructure advisory body, Infrastructure Australia, has flagged issues with the project’s design, and the potential for cost blowouts.

State and federal governments, though, are pressing on with plans to build it.

On a visit to Hobart last month, Federal Cities Minister Alan Tudge vowed to deliver a new Bridgewater Bridge to replace the present 70-year-old structure.

“There’s further work to be done on that next year with Infrastructure Australia, but we want to get it under construction by 2022, it needs to be built,’’ he said.

“If it can be done more affordably, then terrific, but the key thing is that it has to be built.”

Meanwhile, the potential for a second Tasman Bridge was floated in the State Government’s 30-year infrastructure strategy, released last month. It recommended a comprehensive planning study to assess capacity issues on the Tasman Bridge, including the timing of when capacity might be reached.

It flagged interim treatments to address increasing demand, while suggesting development of siting options for a future River Derwent crossing for when capacity is reached.

The 30-year vision also proposed ferry stops along the River Derwent, and raised the idea of an Eastern Bypass of Launceston.