Tasman Bridge
| Tasman Bridge | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Coordinates | 42°51′54″S 147°20′33″E / 42.86500°S 147.34250°E |
| Carries |
 Tasman Highway
|
| Crosses | Derwent River, Southern rail line |
| Locale | Hobart, Tasmania |
| Maintained by | Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Prestressed concrete Girder |
| Total length | 1,395 metres (4,576 ft) |
| Width | 17.5 metres (57'-2 ft) |
| Height | 60.5 metres(197 ft) |
| Longest span | 95 metres |
| Clearance below | 46 metres (150 ft) |
| History | |
| Construction begin | May 1960 |
| Construction end | 23 December 1964 |
| Statistics | |
| Daily traffic | 67,000 |
The Tasman Bridge is a five-lane bridge crossing the Derwent River, near the CBD of Hobart, Tasmania. The bridge has a total length (including approaches) of 1,396 metres (4,576 ft). As part of the Tasman Highway, it provides the main traffic route from the CBD (on the western shore) to the eastern shore. The bridge is known to be one of the most frequented suicide hotspots in Tasmania- in 2015 alone, 7 deaths occurred at the peak of the bridge span. The 50 metre drop to the water/concrete bridge pylon surface is often lethal although some have survived. Only a 1.5 metre guard stops pedestrians from plunging over the side. It is estimated if the bridge remains in its current configuration for the next 20 years, 100 more suicide deaths will have occurred. It has a pedestrian foot way on each side, but no dedicated lane for bicycles. However, steps to the pedestrian foot way have recently been replaced with on-ramps.
In the 1950s with the development of the Eastern shore, it was decided to build a larger bridge; the old Hobart Bridge faced increasing difficulty in managing the larger volumes of traffic that came with development, and constantly raising the lift span for shipping was disruptive. The total cost of the new bridge in conjunction with approach ramps and Lindisfarne Interchange was in the area of £7 million. Construction commenced in May 1960 and the bridge was first opened to traffic (2 lanes only) on 18 August 1964. The bridge was completed with all four lanes operational on 23 December 1964. It was officially opened on 18 March 1965 by Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester. During peak construction a labour force of over 400 men was employed on site.
On Sunday 5 January 1975, at 9:27 p.m. Australian Eastern Summer Time, the Tasman Bridge was struck by the bulk ore carrier Lake Illawarra, bound for the Electrolytic Zinc Company with a cargo of 10,000 tons of zinc concentrate. It caused two pylons and three sections of concrete decking, totaling 127 metres (417 ft), to fall from the bridge and sink the ship. Seven of the ship's crewmen were killed, and five motorists died when four cars drove over the collapsed sections before the traffic was stopped. A major press shot showed a Holden Monaro HQ GTS, which was owned by Frank and Sylvia Manley, along with an older EK Holden station wagon, driven by a local man Mr. Murray Ling, perched balancing on the ledge.
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Wikipedia