Strengthening works are powering ahead on nine Tasmanian bridges, as tenders open for works on a further 12 as part of a $100 million upgrade to Tasmania’s freight routes.
The 12 bridge-strengthening projects currently open for tender are located across Tasmania.
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.
These works fall under the Freight Capacity Upgrade Program. The program will increase the freight capacity of critical and regional freight routes throughout Tasmania by strengthening or replacing various bridges and improving sections of roads.
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To date, 15 road and bridge strengthening projects under the program have been completed across the state, including Pipers River Bridge and sections on the Bass, Midland, Lyell and Huon highways.
Tasmanian Infrastructure Minister Kerry Vincent said the projects will help to increase road safety and freight efficiency across Tasmania.
“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,” Vincent said.
“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.”
The projects are jointly funded by the Federal and Tasmanian Governments under the five-year Freight Capacity Upgrade Program, with the Federal Government committing $80 million and the Tasmanian Government $20 million.