Tasman Bridge
The Tasman Bridge is a prestressed concrete girder bridge connecting the Tasman Highway over the River Derwent in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. When it opened on 29 March 1965, the Tasman was the longest prestressed concrete bridge in Australia, with a total length measuring 1,396 metres (4,580 ft), including approaches. The bridge provides a vital link between Hobart's city centre on the western shore and the City of Clarence on the eastern shore. Averaging 73,029 vehicle crossings per day, the bridge is the highest volume road section in Tasmania. It features five lanes of traffic including a central lane equipped for tidal flow operations and separated shared-use walkways on both sides, with ramp upgrades for improved access and cyclists completed in 2010.
Tasman Bridge | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 42°51′54″S 147°20′33″E |
| Carries | Tasman Highway |
| Crosses | River Derwent |
| Locale | Hobart, Tasmania, Australia |
| Maintained by | Department of State Growth |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Prestressed concrete girder bridge |
| Total length | 1,395 metres (4,577 ft) |
| Width | 17.5 metres (57 ft) |
| Height | 60.5 metres (198 ft) |
| Longest span | 95 metres (312 ft) |
| Clearance below | 46 metres (151 ft) |
| No. of lanes | 5 |
| History | |
| Constructed by | Reed & Mallik |
| Fabrication by | Braithwaite & Co. |
| Construction start | May 1960 |
| Construction end | 23 December 1964 |
| Opened | 18 August 1964 (2 lanes) 23 December 1964 (4 lanes) 18 March 1965 (official) 8 October 1977 (reopened) |
| Statistics | |
| Daily traffic | 73,029 (May 2019) |
| Location | |
The Tasman Bridge gained national attention following the Tasman Bridge disaster. On 5 January 1975, the SS Lake Illawarra, a 140-metre (460 ft) bulk ore carrier, collided bow first with the pile capping of Pier 19 and then amidships with Pier 18. These consecutive impacts resulted in the collapse of both piers and three unsupported sections of the bridge deck spanning 127 metres (417 ft), sinking the vessel and resulting in the loss of twelve lives. The disaster split the city in half, forcing commuters living on the eastern shore to make a 50-kilometre (31 mi) round trip to the CBD via the next bridge to the north. The crisis is unique in that no similar analysis of a city divided into two parts could be referenced. After two-and-a-half years, the Tasman Bridge reopened on 8 October 1977. The Bowen Bridge was subsequently constructed to mitigate any future failure of the Tasman Bridge.
In June 2022, the Tasmanian transport ministry revealed a $130 million investment in the Tasman Bridge, the largest since its 1977 reconstruction. Designed by GHD Group with a target completion date set for 2025, the upgrades encompass wider dedicated paths for cyclists and pedestrians, increased barriers between vehicles and pedestrians, improved lighting and digital signage.