After enduring a years-long saga complicated by floods, the construction of a mountain biking bridge across the River Mersey in Tasmania's northwest is finally nearing completion. This eagerly anticipated project will soon be open, allowing the region's enthusiastic cyclists to cross the bridge. Notably, the bridge is also a record breaker, setting new standards for cycling infrastructure in the area.
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00:00 These tracks were designed to attract the world's best mountain bikers.
00:07 But for a long time, riders have been stopped in their tracks.
00:14 Now the final link in the chain is ready.
00:20 The bridge has been opened to riders on two wheels, or just one.
00:27 It's a relief to local mountain bikers.
00:31 "Now that it's open, how do you feel?"
00:33 "Great, really happy. I'll be down here."
00:36 Catherine Stark is also a local business owner.
00:40 And when the tracks opened in 2019, she hoped they would attract mountain biking tourists.
00:45 But for 18 months, there was no way to cross the river.
00:48 "It's been a very long process, and it's been very frustrating to know that the bridge was actually here
00:56 for so long, but couldn't legally be used."
00:59 Flooding destroyed temporary bridges in 2019 and 2022.
01:04 But by then, the council had secured a state government loan to build this mammoth 147 metre crossing,
01:10 suspended high above any future floodwaters.
01:13 The new bridge has been finished for about a year, but has only recently opened for bike riders and other users.
01:20 Tasmania's Parks and Wildlife Service says it needed to ensure the access trails met all environmental and safety standards.
01:28 "I can't explain every delay, and again, in hindsight, could we have done things differently and better?
01:33 I'd suggest we could, but hindsight's a wonderful thing."
01:37 The bridge is the longest single-span pedestrian suspension bridge in Australia,
01:41 and one of the final pieces in the puzzle of the 100 kilometre trail network.
01:46 "It's just wonderful to finally get to that point in time that we've been waiting for so long."
01:52 A bridge, lifting mountain bikers' spirits.
01:57 And whales.
01:59 [Music]
02:01 [BLANK_AUDIO]