A new $19m bridge in Tasmania’s north-west is set to open soon, easing frustrations about safety and travel times on the Bass Highway.
The new Cam River Bridge features wider lanes, a cycling lane, a pedestrian pathway and is higher and wider than the original.
Westbound lanes between Cooee and Wynyard are set to open in the coming weeks once final sealing has been completed.
While the Labor Party has expressed the community’s impatience with the bridge’s completion, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson says the project remains on schedule.
“Despite interruptions caused by the floods in 2022, this key project remains on time and will bring greater reliability and safety for traffic using this section of the Bass Highway,” Ferguson said.
Once the widening of the approach lanes is finished, eastbound traffic will be redirected to the new bridge.
The project is expected to be fully completed in April, when work will then turn to demolishing the original Cam River Bridge.
“Work is continuing on other elements of the project while we wait for the weather to improve,” he said.
“We will provide more information [on the demolition] once the date for the second traffic switch is confirmed.”
A new set of traffic lights at the junction of the Bass and Murchison highways will become operational after all traffic is rerouted to the new bridge.
