Key Road Infrastructure Projects to commence works in Tasmania Thursday, 14 January 2016

Tasmanian companies VEC Civil Engineering Pty Ltd and DCS Civil have won tenders to provide critical civil infrastructure in the State’s North-East and South.

VEC Civil Engineering Pty Ltd will deliver the Winklers Lagoon Bridge Replacement on the Great Eastern Drive and DCS Civil the Glendevie Climbing Lanes on the Huon Highway.

Minister for Infrastructure Rene Hidding, who announced the successful tenderers, said that as Tasmanian companies, VCE Civil and DCS Civil will support local jobs and drive the State’s economy. 

The Wrinkles Lagoon Bridge, located on the Tasman Highway north of Scamander was built in 1958. The bridge is a key freight link, with heavy vehicle usage expected to increase.

Mr Hidding explained “the new bridge will have wider traffic lanes, allow better access for pedestrians and have increased capacity to carry heavy vehicles”.

Specifically, the bridge will be a 22m single span Super-T structure with two 3.0m wide lanes (with 1.0m sealed shoulders on both sides), a 1.8 wide pedestrian walkway, and increased load-carrying capacity.

The project is part of the government’s strategy to secure key freight routes by strengthening the bridges on the way.

The Glendevie Climbing Lanes is an important project for the Huon region that will improve safety and travel times by providing overtaking lanes in both directions on the Huon Highway between Dover and Geeveston.

DCS Civil Managing Director Pat Dwyer said a team of six staff and dedicated group of 20 subcontractors will be assigned to the $2.7 million project.

“We will be working on new construction, widening the road and providing overtaking lanes in either direction,” Mr Dwyer said.

“It’s a very important project for the Huon Highway for locals and tourists alike, because there is very little opportunity to safely pass trucks or buses between Dover and Huonville.”

The climbing lanes will be located at Glendevie Hills, north and south of the Hopetoun Rd junction.

Construction for both projects is expected to begin this month, with completion by mid-2016.