A $100 million investment into Tasmania’s freight routes will see 12 bridges across the state strengthened in 2025 to provide greater access to heavy vehicles.
Jointly funded by the Tasmanian and federal government through the five-year Freight Capacity Upgrade Program, it will aim to increase the capacity of regional freight routes.
15 road and bridge strengthening projects under the program have already been completed across the state, including Pipers River Bridge and sections on the Bass, Midland, Lyell and Huon highways.
“The federal government is committed to improving road safety and freight efficiency across Tasmania,” says federal transport minister Catherine King.
“We know how important it is to deliver infrastructure that will ease congested roads while also creating opportunities for Tasmanians. That is why we will continue to partner with the Tasmanian government to deliver the Freight Capacity Upgrade Program.”
Work is now advanced on a package to strengthen nine bridges under a $2.2 million contract awarded to construction company Fulton Hogan.
Six of the nine bridges – at Argent River, Arthur River, Mole Creek, Leslie Station Creek, Don River and Pardoe Creek – are in the state’s north west. The other bridges are at Wellards Creek, Norfolk Creek and Allans Creek on the Arthur Highway in the state’s south east.
Work is underway at eight sites, with some nearing completion. The ninth, Leslie Station Creek, will start construction in 2025.
“The program is supporting Tasmania’s economic growth by increasing freight efficiency, enabling increased safe operating loads, and making travel times more predictable for freight operators,” says state infrastructure minister Kerry Vincent.
“It supports productivity by improving the roads freight vehicles travel on day to day.
“Repairing and strengthening these sections of road and bridges will also improve road safety for all road users and reduce maintenance costs.”
