Why There Isn’t a Bridge or Tunnel Between Victoria and Tasmania
Introduction
The idea of a bridge or tunnel connecting Victoria and the Macquarie Island in Tasmania is often floated, yet it remains a pipe dream. While the Bass Strait separates the two states, practical and economical reasons prevent such a grand project from materializing.
The Reality of Current Transportation
Most people heading to Tasmania travel by air rather than by road. The journey involves flying into major airports like Roe Airport in Launceston or C glColor㎞e Airport in Hobart. Even if there was a bridge or tunnel between Victoria and Tasmania, economic feasibility and logistics would still favor air travel. Road transport of goods might be more efficient than sea transport, but with a population of around 540,000 people, the benefits of a bridge or tunnel are limited.
Walking from Victoria to Tasmania
A bridge or tunnel is completely unnecessary. It's already possible to walk from Victoria to Tasmania without getting your feet wet. This path starts at Boundary Islet, a small island within the Hogan Group southeast of Wilson's Promontory. While you might need a helicopter to reach Boundary Islet, the rest of the journey is feasible on foot. This makes the notion of a bridge or tunnel seem even more redundant.
The Wait and the Dream of Connection
Many hope that someday a bridge or tunnel will be built, much like the discussion sparked by tunneling to New Zealand and eventually the rest of Oceania. The practicality of such a project is questionable. The hope is often fueled by the belief that it would facilitate movement between the two regions, but unless travelers can afford a boat or plane ticket, such a project would not see widespread usage.
Economic and Logistical Concerns
Building a 268 km long bridge over water with extreme waves would be extremely expensive and problematic. Even when considering the English Channel Tunnel, which is about 50 km long with 40 km of the distance underwater, such a project would be 5 times longer for a fraction of the traffic. Car ferries and cargo ships are much more practical options. The voice in the background, possibly reflecting on the British perspective, hints at a complex view of transportation infrastructure and the practical challenges faced in realizing grand dreams of connection.
Conclusion
While the dream of a bridge or tunnel between Victoria and Tasmania may captivate the imagination, real-world considerations, economic feasibility, and logistical challenges make such a project unlikely in the near future. Instead, the current transportation methods continue to serve the needs of the population effectively.