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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: None
• 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.

This page features photos of former alignments

Preview:	Description:
	Kings Bridge : View of Kings Bridge over the confluence of South Esk River and River Tamar in Launceston, looking towards Cataract Gorge, July 2018. Image © Paul Rands
	Kings Bridge : View of Kings Bridge over the confluence of South Esk River and River Tamar in Launceston, looking towards Cataract Gorge, July 2018. Image © Paul Rands
	Plaque: Foundary plaque on the duplicate span of Kings Bridge, Launceston, July 2018. Image © Paul Rands
	Plaque: History plaque on Kings Bridge at Launceston, July 2018. Image © Paul Rands
	Plaque: Refurbishment plaque, Kings Bridge, Launceston, July 2018. Image © Paul Rands

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

Last updated: 10-Feb-2019 17:00

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