The State Government has given $1.4 million to two Bridgewater bridge consultants

Consultants are helping the State Government find a way through its Bridgewater bridge conundrum.

In December consultants Pitt and Sherry received $856,647 to conduct the geotechnical work that will inform the new strategy on the bridge.

THE State Government has asked a consultant for advice on how to rein in the cost of a new Bridgewater bridge, amid concerns the latest design is too expensive.

Burbury Consulting will receive $590,350 to “investigate options for a new River Derwent crossing, based on new geotechnical data and funding constraints, plus other tasks required to support further scoping and development of the Bridgewater bridge project.”

In December consultants Pitt and Sherry received $856,647 to conduct the geotechnical work that will inform the new strategy on the bridge.

The business case for the new $576 million bridge is being revised after Infrastructure Australia raised concerns the project’s huge cost would outweigh the benefits. A spokeswoman for the State Government said Burbury Consulting had been engaged to assist the department in working with the Federal Government to address the matters raised by IA.

“This is just one more element in delivering this important and complex piece of infrastructure,” the spokeswoman said. “The Australian and Tasmanian governments are committed to replacing the existing Bridgewater Bridge with a fit-for-purpose solution, and are working closely to further explore the options to deliver the best solution within the current funding.”

In October a Senate estimates committee heard the Federal Infrastructure department shared IA’s concerns and had asked for a revised business case. The federal and state governments have announced the bridge will be built by 2024 under the $1.6 billion Hobart City Deal.

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The mayors of Hobart, Glenorchy and Kingborough have raised concerns about whether the proposal is value for money after a briefing by Infrastructure Australia in September. Shadow Infrastructure Minister Shane Broad said the bridge project was beset by delays and mismanagement.

“We were told that construction was due to start in 2019 but all we’ve seen is more cash splashed on expensive consultants telling the Government how to do its job,” Dr Broad said.

“Infrastructure Australia says the project doesn’t represent value for money and has kicked it off the priority projects list.”

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