University of Tasmania’s $5 million pedestrian and cycle bridge delayed due foundation works taking longer than expected

A new $5 million pedestrian and cycle bridge in Launceston was meant to be finished by the end of 2020, and the reason for the delay has now been revealed.

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THE delayed completion of the University of Tasmania’s $5 million new pedestrian and cycle bridge in Launceston has been blamed on the installation of its foundations taking longer than expected.

The bridge across the North Esk River, which is part of the university’s Northern Transformation project and will connect its Inveresk campus to the CBD, was supposed to be finished by the end of 2020.

But pictures of the bridge taken on Wednesday show a significant amount of scaffolding and fencing around the structure.

A University of Tasmania spokesman said building bridges could be a complex task.

“The installation of the bridge’s foundations at the bottom of the North Esk took longer than initially planned,’’ he said.

“Local specialist firm BridgePro used divers to complete this key stage of the project.

“We are in the final stages of the project and expect the bridge to be finished by the end of January.”

The project, which was co-funded by UTAS and the state and federal governments and occupies council land, was approved by Launceston City Council in November 2019.

The bridge was built to cross the river from the existing viewing platform on the northern levee adjacent to the Inveresk student accommodation to the southern bank south-west of the Scotch Oakburn College Rowing Club and extending into Boland Street road reserve.

“This will be an important community asset, owned by the City of Launceston once complete, allowing people to walk and cycle easily between the city and the Inveresk Precinct,’’ the UTAS spokesman said.

Works commenced in March on the bridge, which was included in the list of projects under the Launceston City Deal.

The $300 million Northern Transformation program is a partnership between UTAS, TasTAFE and three levels of government and includes new campuses at Inveresk and at West Park in Burnie.

The Federal Government is contributing $150 million in funding and the State Government and UTAS are each contributing $75 million.

The West Park campus is expected to be complete by the end of 2021 along with the first stage of the Inveresk precinct, which is expected to be complete in its entirety by 2024.

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