New Bridgewater crossing expected to be completed by 2024

UPDATED: ALL the money is now on the table to finally deliver a long-awaited replacement bridge across the River Derwent at Bridgewater, says Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

UPDATED: ALL the money is now on the table to finally deliver a long-awaited replacement bridge across the River Derwent at Bridgewater, says Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

The PM braved face-numbingly cold conditions in Hobart’s northern suburbs this morning to welcome progress on the $576 million project.

The whistlestop visit has been timed to coincide with the Hodgman Government’s fifth State Budget, to be handed down this afternoon.

The Government will agree to commit $115 million towards the major infrastructure project, meeting 20 per cent of the price tag.

For its part, the Turnbull Government committed $461 million in the May Budget.

“[It has been] long talked about, promised before, but it is now going to be delivered and all the money is on the table to do it,” Mr Turnbull told reporters today.

“It underlines the commitment the Federal Government … is making to Tasmania right across the board.”

Also questioned on whether he would bring Australian Federal Police officers back to Hobart, Mr Turnbull said it was unlikely for the foreseeable future.

“We’ve got limited resources of the AFP across the country, [and] their judgment is that the security environment at Hobart Airport does not require an AFP presence,” he said.

“That’s their expert judgment, I’m not going to substitute my own views for theirs.

“If you were to take AFP resources from, say, Melbourne or Sydney, you would be taking resources from an area where there is a threat, to one where the AFP says there isn’t.”

Mr Turnbull was also quizzed on the future of Tasmania’s GST share.

“It will not be getting any less money out of the project, it will not be going backwards in terms of the financial support it gets,” he said.

EARLIER: A NEW Bridgewater crossing will be built by 2024 with the State Government to lock in its share of the funding when today’s Budget is announced.

The Hodgman Government will agree to commit $115 million towards the long-awaited major infrastructure project, meeting 20 per cent of the $576 million price tag.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will make a Budget day whistlestop to spruik the new bridge after his Government committed $461 million in the May Federal Budget.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull with state Liberal colleagues, including Premier Will Hodgman, at the Bridgewater Bridge this morning. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

MORE: ROADS AND RAIL TIPPED FOR BUDGET LARGESSE

State Treasurer Peter Gutwein’s budget will include $6 million of joint funding in 2018-19 to get a project team started on the design.

“This means that Tasmanians will have a new, state-of-the-art, four-lane Bridgewater Bridge,” Premier Will Hodgman told the Mercury.

“An expert project team is now being assembled and pens will hit paper as part of the detailed design work as soon as possible.

“This is a project of national and state significance and the single biggest bridge project in Tasmania’s history since 1984, when the Bowen Bridge was opened.”

A concept drawing of a new Bridgewater bridge. Funding will be allocated for the project in today’s State Budget. Picture: SUPPLIED

Both budgets combined will include a total of $121 million over the next four years for the bridge.

Its two-year construction period is expected to begin in 2021-22 with completion in 2024.

“This investment will ensure we keep pace with the demands of our growing state and deliver the infrastructure Tasmanians need today, and into the future,” Treasurer Gutwein said.

The State Government endorsed an Infrastructure Tasmania report recommending funding be sought for a replacement bridge in 2016.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Premier Will Hodgman in Hobart earlier this year. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Infrastructure Australia accepted the project as an initiative of national significance before this year’s Federal Budget.

Prime Minister Turnbull said the crossing would benefit 22,000 motorists each day and complement improvements to the Midland Highway.

“Will and I are determined to ensure Tasmanians get home sooner and safer and the Bridgewater Bridge will do just that,” Mr Turnbull said.

“Building new major infrastructure in Tasmania also means more jobs for Tasmanians.”