Tasman Bridge (Greater Hobart, TAS)

 bridge, road bridge

The Tasman Bridge is a five-lane concrete bridge spanning the Derwent River, and joining the Eastern and Western shores of Greater Hobart. Constructed between 1960 and 1964, and opened in 1968 by the Duke of Gloucester; the bridge is a renowned landmark for Hobart.

The bridge is most famous for having been involved in a disaster in January 1975; where the bulk ore carrier MV Lake Illawarra collided with a pylon and brought a section of the span down, killing twelve. This caused a great deal of disruption to the city as most public services, primarily healthcare, were located in the city; and the only alternative bridge crossing was located at Bridgewater, approximately twenty kilometres upstream. From January 1975 to October 1977, the city was divided, with the only alternatives being passenger ferries from Lindisfarne and Bellerive to Hobart, as well as an army-constructed bailey bridge and river punt at Risdon.

Re-opened to traffic in October 1977, the Tasman Bridge continues to carry some of Hobart's heaviest traffic, especially during peak hours. Because of the disaster's effects on the structure, and 'concrete rot', the bridge is expected to be replaced in the next fifty years.