Tasmanian freight bridges undergo strengthening works

The federal and Tasmanian governments have released an update on nine Tasmanian bridges currently undergoing strengthening works in a joint bid to enhance efficiency and productivity for the state’s freight sector.

Currently, nine bridges, with six in the state’s north west, are being strengthened to allow for more trucks to pass over them each day.

Under a $2.2 million contract awarded to construction company Fulton Hogan, the bridges situated at Argent River, Arthur River, Mole Creek, Leslie Station Creek, Don River, Pardoe Creek, Wellards Creek, Norfolk Creek and Allans Creek are all underway, with some nearing completion. The Leslie Station Creek project is set to begin construction in 2025.

These nine bridge projects follow 15 road and bridge strengthening upgrades that have been completed across the state at locations such as Pipers River Bridge and sections of the Bass, Midland, Lyell and Huon Highways.

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On top of these nine projects, tenders have opened for a further 12 bridge strengthening upgrades in 2025 as part of a total $100 million investment in Tasmania’s freight routes.

“These much-needed bridge strengthening works will increase road and bridge network capability to increase freight productivity for critical state industries such as agriculture and manufacturing,” Senator for Tasmania Anne Urquhart says.

“The federal government will continue to invest in infrastructure projects across Tasmania to ensure efficient and safer travel for truck and heavy vehicle freight well into the future.”

The plan is for 35 bridges in total to be strengthened, with another three replaced as part of Tasmania’s Freight Capacity Upgrade Program.

“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,” Tasmanian infrastructure minister Kerry Vincent says.

“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.”