Tasmanian government scraps plans to widen the Tasman Bridge pathways citing cost

Cyclist Andrew Heard rides across Hobart's Tasman Bridge a couple of times a week, and describes it as a "love-hate" part of his regular cycling. "Detailed engineering reports have found that 3.5 metre-wide pathways cannot be installed along the full length of the bridge without significantly modifying its structure, which would cost far more than the project's budget," Premier Jeremy Rockliff said. He said the height of safety barriers — those on the outside of the bridge and between the pathways and traffic lanes — would be increased, "localised passing bays" installed, pathway connections on each shore would be improved, and one-way pathway options would be explored. Safer connection needed: Bicycle Network Bicycle Network's Tasmanian public affairs manager Alison Hetherington said the organisation was "shocked and disappointed" by the decision to scrap the widened paths so long after it was promised.