Road Photos & Information: Tasmania: West Tamar Highway (A7)

Road Photos & Information: Tasmania

West Tamar Highway (A7)

Statistics:

Length: 59 km
Northern Terminus: Greens Beach Road, Greens Beach
Southern Terminus: Bathurst Street (NH1), Launceston
Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along Route: Launceston, Loira, Loch Lea, Riverside, Legana, Exeter, Beaconsfield, Kelso and Greens Beach

Route Numbering:

Current: A7

Former:

General Information:

West Tamar Highway covers the western edge of the Tamar River, from Launceston to the beach town of Greens Beach.

The West Tamar Highway's highest elevation along its length is 137m and the lowest point is at -2.06m. The West Tamar Highway connects with the East Tamar Highway (A8), Batman Highway (B73), Midland Highway (NH1) and the Tasman Highway (A3).

History:

1863: Fabrication of the original Kings Bridge span completed in Manchester, England and shipment of the span to Australia. The designer of the first span was William Thomas Doyne, (1823-1877), a civil engineer born in Ireland. At the request of the West Tamar Road Trust, Doyne designed the elegant bridge to cross the South Esk River at Launceston. It was described as a wrought-iron arch spanning 190 feet. 1
1864: Kings Bridge arrived in Launceston and was assembled on a pontoon, floated into position and then lowered on to its abutments on the receding tide. Kings Bridge was originally a single lane metal arch that connected Launceston with the West Tamar region. 1
4 February 1864: Kings Bridge was officially opened at a cost of £12,000. 1
1904: A duplicate adjacent span of Kings Bridge was fabricated by Salisbury's foundry in Launceston, and was similarly erected and floated into position like the original span. 1
2 November 1973: Paterson Bridge over South Esk River opened to traffic, bypassing Kings Bridge. The Paterson Bridge was named in honour of the first Governor of the colony of Tasmania. 2
22 June 1988: Completion of Kings Bridge refurbishment and re-opening to traffic.

Click here for photos of former alignments

Launceston to Greens Beach		Greens Beach to Launceston
Preview:	Description:	Preview:	Description:
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Launceston approaching Margaret St, July 2018. Image © Paul Rands		Intersection Directional Sign: ID sign at the junction with Winkleigh Rd (C717) at Exeter, June 2019. Image © Paul Rands
	Intersection Directional Sign: Intersection directional sign facing traffic on York Street (A7) Launceston, near the southern terminus of the route. April 2007. Image © Peter Renshaw		intersection Directional Signs: ID signs at Rosevears facing Brady Lookout Track, June 2019. Image © Paul Rands
	Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Launceston, 2008. Image © Jamie Scuglia		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Legana approaching Freshwater Point Dr and Sunrise Dr, June 2019. Image © Paul Rands
	Paterson Bridge: Paterson Bridge carries West Tamar Hwy (A7) over the confluence of the South Esk River and River Tamar in Launceston, July 2018. Image © Paul Rands		Intersection Directional Sign: ID sign at Legana on the roundabout with Freshwater Point Dr and Sunrise Dr, June 2019. Image © Paul Rands
	Paterson Bridge: Underside view of Paterson Bridge, which carries West Tamar Hwy (A7) over the confluence of the South Esk River and River Tamar in Launceston, July 2018. Image © Paul Rands		River Tamar: West Tamar Hwy (A7) as it crosses the River Tamar at Launceston, 2008. Image © Jamie Scuglia
	Intersection Directional Sign: ID sign on the roundabout with Legana Park Dr & Acropolis Dr at Legana, June 2019. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign showing old SR1 route number at Launceston, August 2006. This sign has since been removed. Image © Tim Cole
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Legana approaching Bridgenorth Rd (C732), June 2019. Image © Paul Rands		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign on Brisbane St (West Tamar Hwy) (A7) at Launceston, approaching Bathurst St (A8), July 2018. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: Northbound AD sign approaching the intersections of Atkinsons Road and Rosevears Drive (C733) at Legana, April 2007. Image © Peter Renshaw		Intersection Directional Sign : ID sign at the junction with Brisbane St (A8) at Launceston, July 2018. Brisbane St becomes A3 at this junction and this is also the southern terminus of A7. Image © Paul Rands

1 ABC Northern Tasmania, Kings Bridge
2 Libraries Tasmania, Paterson Bridge Official opening 2nd November 1973

Last updated: 28 Aug 2019 20:02

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