Charles St Bridge to close for flood exercise

Published on 15 June 2018

The Charles St Bridge will be closed to traffic for two hours next Tuesday night as part of a flood preparedness exercise.

The bridge will be closed from 7pm to 9pm next Tuesday, June 19, to test the set-up of the bridge's Bauer flood gate system, and detours will be in place.

Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten said motorists could take alternate routes across the Tamar St Bridge while the exercise was underway.

"We undertake these drills every few years to demonstrate to Council staff and emergency services representatives how the Bauer flood gates are installed and set up," Mayor van Zetten said.

"This allows them to experience first-hand what work needs to be undertaken, how the gates are installed, and what equipment is required.

"It means we have an appropriate number of people at any time who are familiar with the installation and set-up of these gates.

"The Bauer flood gates comprise a series of rubber-sealed 'stop logs' which are placed between upright posts that are bolted into the road, as opposed to the city's sliding gates which can be rolled across gaps in the levee system and tensioned into place.

"Both types of gates are designed so that they can be set up quickly and without heavy machinery, and while we're able to test the sliding gates without any great impact on the public the Charles St Bauer gates do require the closure of the bridge to traffic.

"It's obviously very important that we regularly test our processes and equipment so that we can identify any improvements that can be made, or rectify any problems we encounter.

"We apologise for any inconvenience to motorists during this time, and ask for people's patience while the exercise is underway on Tuesday night."