Nine Tasmanian bridges are undergoing strengthening works, while tenders have opened to strengthen a further 12 bridges in 2025 as part of a $100 million upgrade of Tasmania's freight routes.
The projects are jointly funded by the Australian and Tasmanian Governments under the five-year Freight Capacity Upgrade Program, with the Australian Government committing $80 million and the Tasmanian Government $20 million.
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.
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.
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 12 bridge-strengthening projects currently open for tender are located across Tasmania.
Current plans are for a total of 35 bridges to be strengthened and three replaced as part of the Freight Capacity Upgrade Program.
