Tasmania’s largest ever infrastructure project, the New Bridgewater Bridge is expected to commence construction in the coming months, with early works already progressing on site.
After being announced as the preferred contractor in December 2021, McConnell Dowell was awarded the design and construction contract in July and has spent the past six months further developing the bridge design and preparing to start work on the new bridge.
The new four-lane bridge will fix the missing link in Tasmania’s ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Highway, improve connections at Bridgewater and Granton, and cater for cyclists and pedestrians with a safe shared path.
The project will remove the notorious bottleneck at the Granton roundabout, providing the 22,000 vehicles that use the bridge each day with free-flowing access to the Brooker Highway, Lyell Highway and Midland Highway.
On the Bridgewater side, a new ramp from Boyer Road onto the bridge will offer easy access for local traffic wanting to travel south, while Gunn Street will join with Old Main Road under the new bridge to create a continuous connection and more open space.
On the southern side of the river, the journey from Hobart to New Norfolk will be uninterrupted, with the creation of a dedicated slip lane from the Brooker Highway onto the Lyell Highway.
Creating jobs and supporting Tasmanian industry is a key focus of the project, with McConnell Dowell working to engage a number of Tasmanian organisations to assist with the delivery of the project.
The bridge works will support more than 800 direct and indirect jobs, including creating more than 200 new jobs for Tasmanians.
Forming part of the Hobart City Deal, the Australian Government has committed $628.8 million towards the $786 million jointly funded project, with the Tasmanian Government contributing the remaining $157.2 million.
It is expected that traffic will be driving on the new bridge by the end of 2024.
Comments attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:
“Reducing congestion and improving connectivity is a key priority for the Albanese Government.
“We are investing in a range of projects across Tasmania to improve traffic flow and decrease bottlenecks, while supporting jobs and economic growth.
“The investment in this project will help commuters spend less time in traffic, reduce freight costs, accommodate more efficient heavy vehicles, and better connect growing industrial and commercial areas around Brighton.”
Comments attributable to Tasmanian Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson:
“The design is the result of extensive planning and community engagement to find the best solution to meet the needs of the community now and into the future.
“The Tasmanian Government has worked extremely hard over the last 2 years to sort out funding, planning, designs and selecting a qualified contractor. I am thrilled that after decades of talk, our action has led to this project coming to life which will meaningfully improve Tasmanians’ lives”.
Comments attributable to Federal Member for Lyons Brian Mitchell:
“The works will deliver safety, capacity and connectivity improvements on this crucial link on the Tasmanian ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Highway.
“This is a major transport infrastructure upgrade which aims to meet the current and future needs of motorists, cyclists and pedestrians alike.”
