Greater Hobart mayors aren’t happy with the state government’s decision to downgrade planned upgrades to the Tasman Bridge.
Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds, Clarence Mayor Brendan Blomeley, Glenorchy Mayor Sue Hickey and Kingborough Mayor Paula Wriedt said the move is the “latest example” of “failing to deliver critical transport infrastructure”.
The initial upgrade would have seen 3.5-metre wide shared pathways added to each side of the bridge, but the government has instead opted to retain the current paths with taller barriers on both the road and water sides.
“The wheels seem to be falling off many of the transport initiatives from the Hobart City Deal,” Reynolds said.
“At this rate we’re not going to meet our shared goals of reducing congestion and improving transport choices for the Hobart community.”
Blomeley said the decision to scrap the Tasman Bridge upgrade is “beyond disappointing and incredibly short sighted”.
“To proceed with upgrades that are barely half-baked is doing a disservice to Clarence, Hobart and Tasmania more broadly,” he said.
“We urge the State Government to reconsider this decision and deliver the upgrades to a standard we can all be proud of.”
State Treasurer Michael Ferguson told a budget estimates committee last week that the decision to scale back the project was not due to funding but structural limitations with the 1960s-built bridge.
