Council push for another Tamar River bridge

One proposed site for a new bridge across the Tamar River links Forster Street in Invermay with the West Tamar Highway

Mayor Albert van Zetten and council general manager Robert Dobrzynski travelled to Canberra last week to lobby politicians on a number of issues, including funding for a $50 million bridge across the Tamar, as well as a $57 million heavy vehicle bypass around Launceston.

"There are longstanding problems with the flow of heavy vehicle traffic in and around Launceston, and the council believes those problems will only be exacerbated with time, especially if the pulp mill project goes ahead," Mr van Zetten said.

"We have held initial talks with federal representatives about improving traffic flow in Launceston, and about projects to take heavy vehicles out of the city centre.

"As part of those discussions, we also spoke about the potential of another bridge across the Tamar River, linking the West and East Tamar highways."

Mr van Zetten said that while no set location had been chosen for a another bridge across the Tamar, one linking Invermay to Riverside could make it easier for people to get in and out of the city.

"A bridge at this location would also provide benefits to growing, outlying suburbs in neighbouring municipalities, like Legana," he said.

"It would also enable the city to engage its waterfront in a more meaningful manner, providing numerous recreational and commercial opportunities in establishing the waterfront as a community centre and a must-visit destination."

Mr van Zetten said the proposed heavy vehicle bypass route would take trucks and road freight out of the city centre, and see it travel around the eastern side of the city.

"We believe these high-priority projects fit well with the aims of the Federal Government's 2013 Nation Building Program, and we are hopeful of securing support from the different political parties as the next federal election approaches," Mr van Zetten said.