Tasman Bridge

The Tasman Bridge is a prestressed concrete girder bridge carrying the Tasman Highway over the River Derwent in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. When it opened on 29 March 1965, it was the longest prestressed concrete bridge in Australia, with a total length of 1,396 metres (4,580 ft), including approaches. The bridge provides a vital link between the Hobart central business district on the western shore and the City of Clarence on the eastern shore. Averaging around 73,000 vehicle crossings per day, it carries the highest traffic volume of any road section in Tasmania. It features five lanes of traffic, including a central lane equipped for tidal flow operations, and grade-separated shared-use walkways on both sides, with ramp upgrades for improved access and cyclists completed in 2010.

The bridge gained national attention following the Tasman Bridge disaster. On 5 January 1975, it was struck by the bulk ore carrier SS Lake Illawarra, bound for EZ Industries’ Risdon Zinc Works with a cargo of 10,000 tonnes (11,000 short tons) of zinc concentrate. The impact caused two piers and three sections of concrete decking totalling 127 metres (417 ft) to collapse, sinking the vessel and resulting in the loss of twelve lives. The disaster split the city in half, forcing commuters on the eastern shore to make a 50-kilometre (31 mi) detour via the next bridge to the north. The event was notable as no comparable study of a city divided by such an incident existed at the time. After two and a half years, the bridge reopened on 8 October 1977. The Bowen Bridge was later constructed to provide redundancy in case of any future disruption to the Tasman Bridge.

Ongoing upgrades have sought to improve safety, lighting, and accessibility for cyclists and pedestrians, ensuring the bridge continues to meet contemporary transport standards.