Missing ramp construction to commence shortly
July 2010. DIER has awarded the contract to construct a ramp to replace the steps on the western end of the bridge and work is expected to commence shortly. Preliminary planning is being completed and the contractor will have personnel working on site in July. Some of the components will be pre-cast so there is also work to be undertaken off–site. Relocation of 2-3 street lights is required and it is expected this work will be undertaken during July. Appropriate advisory and warning signs will be displayed and the downstream shared footpath will be kept open where possible. It will take approximately 14 weeks to construct and there may be some disruptions to path users. The plans can be viewed on the DIER website. The ramp will curve anti-clockwise and land inside the barrier adjacent to the Tasman Hwy which will provide better sight lines on the approach to the underpass near the control room.

Works to modify fire hydrants to commence Wed 13 January 2010
Jan 2010. In November 2009 DIER announced that works were to commence to modify the fire hydrants on the upstream side of the bridge to reduce the obstruction they create on the narrow footpath. The modifications have been prefabricated off-site and are to be installed starting from 13 January 2010.

Tasman Bridge to Cambridge Route survey - July 2009
Thank you to the 82 people who completed the survey. Click here to download a summary of the results.  One of the interesting findings was the preferred upgrade treatment for the corridor was an off-road path, provided it offered a direct route. The map attached to the survey (downloaded here - 941 KB) which indicated a possible path route showing it taking an indirect route between Gordons Hill Rd and Rose Bay High overpass. Respondents indicated that they would still prefer to use the highway if the path followed an indirect route. The information will be valuable in determining the best treatment for providing for cyclists in the Tasman Hwy corridor.

Tasman Bridge

New ramp for bridge
Feb 09. Representatives from CyclingSouth, Bicycle Tasmania and Hobart City Council met on site to review plans for a ramp to replace steps on the western shore of the bridge. Our preferred option was for a simple ramp that travelled from the bridge in an anti-clockwise direction and landed on the inside of the guardrail alongside the Tasman Hwy. This provides a more direct approach to the underpass and improves sight lines. The Premier, David Bartlett, has announced funding for constructing the ramp.

The ramp will eliminate one of the many barriers people face when wanting to cross the river. As regular users are aware, it is difficult to carry bikes up and down, dangerous in cleats and wet weather, a barrier for parents towing child trailers or with children on bikes and difficult to lift tandems and bikes loaded with panniers. The alternative bridge footpath on the upstream side (which has a ramp to access it) doesn't provide a good connection to the Bellerive side of the bridge.

Bike crash survey results
A survey conducted by Bicycle Tasmania in 2007-08 found the following:
- 90 people who had reported having a crash on the bridge while cycling over were surveyed. Alarmingly 28% required a visit to the doctor or hospital emergency department with a quarter of those requring a stay in hospital.
- The wind, combined with the narrowness of the path along with other obstructions such as fire hydrants and gantrys, were factors in many of the crashes. Many cyclists reported that their handlebars caught on railings and other obstructions such as electrical boxes.
- 28% of crashes involved a collision with another cyclist or pedestrian and occurred primarily at blind spots.

Underpass improvements
Sept 06. The Department of Infrastructure, Energy & Resources (DIER) has carried out some improvement works at the Tasman Bridge. A narrow entrance to the underpass at the western end of the bridge, combined with poor sight lines, increased the chances of a collision between cyclists travelling in opposite directions. In June 2006 DIER completed works to widen the approach to the underpass and marked a centre line to remind users to keep left. This is an improvement that should help to reduce conflict at the underpass. 

Before	After

Tasman Hwy - Rose Bay to Cambridge

New link to Bridge from Rose Bay
Apr 09. Clarence Council has prepared a concept plan for a pathway from the Riawena Rd end of the Tasman Bridge in Montagu Bay to the overpass near the City View Motel in Rose Bay. This would provide the first step in improving access in the area around the bridge. Council is waiting on approval from DIER to proceed with the project. $70,000 has been allocated for the 2009/10 financial year.

Oct 08. DIER has agreed to provide road safety funding for completing a pathway from the downstream side of the Tasman Bridge to the pedestrian overpass near the City View Motel. Clarence Council has agreed to do the design work for the path which will improve pedestrian and cycling access to and from the Tasman Bridge.



Cyclists acknowledged in new highway signage
April 08. DIER has recognised cycle use along the Tasman Hwy by installing 'Cyclists cross with care' signs at the new exits at Cambridge.  These signs are a common sight on the mainland (on highways such as the Hume Hwy and Princes Hwy) but as far as we are aware, it is the first time they have been used in Tasmania.


May 07. CyclingSouth met with the General Manager at the Department of Transport to discuss access between the Tasman Bridge and Cambridge. DIER has indicated that they are willing to work with Clarence Council to develop a safe cycling route and the Clarence Bicycle Committee has carried out some preliminary investigation of a route. Clarence Council officers will prepare a report for DIER.

 
Members of the Clarence Bicycle Committee investigate options for improving access to Tasman Bridge from the Eastern Shore.