Work to increase safety on the Tasman Bridge has reached a major milestone, with a $23 million contract awarded to construction company Fulton Hogan for safety barrier and pathway upgrades.
The project is key to ensuring the Tasman Bridge continues to meet the community’s transport needs into the future and follows extensive design development, technical investigations and community consultation undertaken throughout 2024 and 2025.
The project is equally funded by the Australian and Tasmanian Governments and will improve safety and accessibility for people who walk, wheel and ride on the Tasman Bridge pathways.
The pathway upgrade includes new higher waterside safety barriers, raised roadside barriers, improved sight lines, reinforced mesh and handrails, new cyclist and pedestrian passing bays, and removal of the bridge maintenance towers.
Detailed design and offsite fabrication work will now begin, with construction on the bridge expected to start in the first half of 2027 and take around 12 months.
Works are scheduled at night to minimise traffic impacts noting this will involve some lane closures. Daytime traffic will remain unaffected.
This is the second stage of work on the $130 million Tasman Bridge upgrade program, with improvements to the Eastern Shore pathway connections completed in March 2026 to improve connectivity between the pathways on each side of the highway.
While work starts on these critical safety barrier and pathway improvements, planning will continue on upgrades to the bridge’s lane use management system, which is used to control traffic during peak periods and incidents.
Planning will also continue on strengthening the bridge’s deck to support current and future high traffic volumes and maintain critical transport connectivity.
Planning is also underway on future bridge investment and to assess Hobart’s long term transport needs while ensuring continued access for the shipping industry.
Quotes attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:
“The Albanese Government is committed to making the Tasman Bridge pathways safer for people walking and riding across the bridge.
“With upgrades being completed in stages, we are continuing work to maintain the lifespan of the bridge and support high traffic volumes for many years to come.
“It’s exciting to see works progressing on this project, which, when complete, will support a safer, more connected community.”
Quotes attributable to Tasmanian Infrastructure and Transport Minister Kerry Vincent:
“This milestone is a significant step forward in delivering safety improvements to the Tasman Bridge.
“These upgrades respond directly to community concerns, ensuring the bridge remains safe, accessible and fit for purpose well into the future. Importantly, these improvements will enhance safety while managing wind loading impacts on the bridge.
“By scheduling works at night and keeping daytime traffic flowing, we are ensuring the project is delivered with minimal disruption to the thousands of people who rely on the bridge every day.
“The Tasman Bridge is a critical transport link, and this project, along with future strengthening and traffic management upgrades, will help safeguard its role for decades to come and help our Government build an even better Tasmania.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Franklin Julie Collins:
“The Tasman Bridge is one of the state’s busiest transport links and these upgrades ensure this piece of infrastructure is safer and stronger for future generations to come.
“The pathway upgrades are an important part of ensuring the bridge continues to meet the needs of Tasmanians, while also complementing the other stages of the Tasman Bridge Upgrade.
“The feedback from the community has played a vital role in informing these upgrades and Its pleasing to see that reflected in the improvements being delivered.”
