Remembrance Bridge contractor refuses to elaborate on concerns that delayed highway closure
UPDATED: THERE are fears the Remembrance Bridge won’t be finished in time for the World War I armistice centenary commemorations.
Tasmania
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THERE are fears the Remembrance Bridge won’t be finished in time for the World War I armistice centenary commemorations.
Contractor Fulton Hogan has also refused to elaborate on the “technical stuff” which forced the Tasman Highway closure to be postponed.
The highway was due to be closed in both directions between the Tasman Bridge and Brooker Avenue this weekend as both sides of the bridge were connected but “technical construction concerns” forced a rethink late last Friday afternoon.
MORE:
CONSTRUCTION CONCERNS DELAY HIGHWAY CLOSURE
TASMAN HIGHWAY CLOSURE A ‘NIGHTMARE’: SENATOR
WORKS START ON $11 MILLION BRIDGE
Hobartians were left dumbfounded with the sudden change of plans, with many taking to social media to question what the concerns were.
Fulton Hogan safety, environment and community consultation manager Steve Eeles said he didn’t want to say any more when contacted by the Mercury on Tuesday.
On Friday Mr Eeles said the delay was due to a “few things”, including “technical stuff” and “technical construction concerns”.
It is understood engineering concerns over aesthetic elements have caused the delays and not because the span was built too short to fit between the pillars.
It is not yet known when the work will now take place.
Fulton Hogan said it would assess the situation this week to identify the next available opportunity to close the road, but the quieter school holiday window has been missed.
Hobart City Council general manager Nick Heath said the council is awaiting advice from Fulton Hogan as to when it will be in a position to undertake the construction works.
“I am hopeful that we will receive this advice by the end of this week,” Mr Heath said.
“I have full confidence in the team and expect that any issues will be rectified successfully.
“We remain hopeful the bridge will be in place before Remembrance Day.”
Deputy lord mayor candidate Simon Behrakis said Greater Hobart residents had already planned alternate trips this weekend due to the expected closure of the highway.
“This is becoming yet another chapter in the sad story of bad management in regards to this project,” he said.
“Not only is this mistake going to significantly burden Hobart ratepayers, but the uncertainty surrounding the project is causing major inconvenience to commuters and residents.”
He called on the Council to explain exactly what had happened.
Tasmanian Liberal Senator Jonathon Duniam, an outspoken critic of the plan to close the highway, welcomed the reprieve for motorists.
“The impacts on commuters would have been substantial, sending the city into absolute chaos,” he said.
“I now call on the Council and the relevant authorities to use this time to reassess construction plans to avoid a full road closure.”
Hobart City Council said once they were made aware of a new date it would be communicated to the public.
The $11 million bridge was expected to be completed by November 11.
jack.paynter@news.com.au
MORE NEWS:
O’Byrne pulls plug on support for Ferguson, says Premier must act
The survival of key Liberal Michael Ferguson hangs by a thread after key independent David O’Byrne declared he had lost confidence in the beleaguered Treasurer and Deputy Premier. What Mr O’Byrne said >>
World-leading program which has reduced dementia risk by 25%
A five-year dementia study run out of UTAS is showing drops of 25 per cent in the dementia risk of its study participants. Here is what they are doing to stay healthier for longer.