23 September 2024

Jeremy Rockliff, Premier

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.