Truck rollover on Tasman Bridge causes major delays, sparks call for city bypass

A truck rollover that blocked traffic on the Tasman Bridge and surrounding thoroughfares for hours has renewed calls to build a city bypass to solve Hobart’s traffic woes. HAVE YOUR SAY >>

Traffic on Davey St following a truck rollover on the Tasman Bridge. 16 Jan 2023. Picture: supplied

A TRUCK rollover that blocked traffic on the Tasman Bridge for nearly three hours has renewed calls for a city bypass to solve Hobart’s traffic woes.

Traffic was brought to a standstill across Hobart yesterday leaving motorists gridlocked on all major routes after a truck heading eastbound on the Tasman Bridge crashed about 2.55pm.

Police and emergency services attended the scene where they freed the driver from the wreckage.

Traffic was diverted from both ends of the bridge with police encouraging motorists to use the Bowen Bridge.

Truck rollover on Tasman Bridge. Video by ‘Mudda Bruddas’

Truck rollover on Tasman Bridge. Video by ‘Mudda Bruddas’

Commuters on their way home from work experienced severe delays.

The delays affected the Hobart airport where planes were held while passengers were stuck in traffic.

Traffic cams showed cars gridlocked on the Bowen Bridge, Davey St and Macquarie St.

Commuters took to social media to voice their frustration.

“It’s taken the bus two hours to get from Hobart CBD to the lights at Derwent Park Road and Brooker Highway and still crawling,” one user commented.

“Another great example of inadequate planning by HCC and the state government.”

Bob Cotgrove

Urban geographer and transport economist Bob Cotgrove said these incidents are inevitable without a bypass.

“There’s a desperate need, and has been for decades, for a bypass around the centre of Hobart that will provide an alternative to Macquarie and Davey streets,” he said.

“All the traffic that’s coming off the Tasman Bridge, Brooker Ave and Southern Outlet all get funnelled into Macquarie and Davey streets, so there’s a lack of alternative routes.”

On the use of public transport to help ease congestion on Tasmanian roads, Mr Cotgrove said there are too many limitations.

“Public transport is limited to stops along a route and is available only at times that are determined by time tables.

The truck driver sustained minor injuries and was taken to Royal Hobart Hospital as a precautionary measure.

There were no other vehicles involved in the incident, police said.

One lane of traffic in each direction of the bridge was reopened about 5.50pm while emergency services continued to clear remaining debris.

The bridge was also open to cyclists and pedestrians and the Derwent ferry added additional services.

How it happened....

Update 7.50pm: Severe traffic delays continue to plague Hobart roads following an earlier truck rollover on the Tasman Bridge.

Traffic is at a standstill on the Southern Outlet, with drivers getting out of their vehicles to assess the situation, a motorist heading in the opposite direction, told the Mercury.

Flights departing from Hobart Airport have also been delayed as a result of the traffic.

Live traffic cameras show cars are still banked up on Argyle and Davey St, as well near the Railway roundabout.

Traffic on Railway roundaway in Hobart from live traffic camera.

Update 6.00pm: One lane in each direction is now open on the Tasman Bridge.

The truck has been removed from the bridge and a large amount of debris remains on the road which is currently being cleared.

The Tasmanian Government’s Derwent ferry service has now added another vessel to the run between Hobart and the eastern shore this evening to cater to the high numbers of people queuing to take the ferry home following the Tasman Bridge truck rollover.This is in addition to the extra shuttle services already put on, meaning a double shuttle will be operating simultaneously to clear the queues more quickly.

Traffic on the Bowen Bridge following a truck rollover on the Tasman Bridge. 16 Jan 2023. Picture: supplied

Update 4.50pm: Police remain on the scene of the truck rollover and advised that the Tasman Bridge will remain closed to motorists until at least 5.30pm.

Additional ferry services have been added this evening to help ease traffic congestion which is occurring in multiple areas. The additional runs will continue on a shuttle-basis, and are expected to continue beyond the usual last run of the evening.

Traffic gridlocked around Hobart following a truck rollover on the Tasman Bridge. Picture: Google maps

The shared pathways on the bridge are open for cyclists and pedestrians.

A truck turned over on the Tasman Bridge, and traffic diverted as the bridge was close. Picture : Mireille Merlet

Earlier: Police are on the scene of a truck rollover on the Tasman Bridge.

One person is trapped inside the vehicle, according to police.

Traffic is being diverted at both ends of the bridge and motorists are being asked to use the Bowen Bridge as an alternative, which is reportedly at a standstill.

Motorists are experiencing severe delays as a result of the crash.

Police are also reminding motorists to slow down to 40km/h when approaching or passing emergency service vehicles.

Details of the injuries are not yet known.

More to come...