Work on the once-in-a-generation New Bridgewater Bridge Project is a significant step closer to delivering faster travel times and less congestion.
The pouring of the final pair of the 42 bridge piers this evening (October 29) will mark the completion of the bridge’s substructure and bring the project a step closer to having traffic on the bridge.
The Australian and Tasmanian governments are investing $786 million into project, with the Australian Government committing $628.8 million, and $157.2 million from the Tasmanian Government.
The four-lane bridge will fix the missing link between the Brooker Highway and Midland Highway.
The 1.2-kilometre-long bridge will include two lanes of traffic in each direction, a safe shared path for cyclists and pedestrians, and clearance for boats.
The 46 piles that make up the bridge’s foundations were completed in July 2024, ranging between 30-90 metres below the river. One of the final piles to be poured is believed to be the largest ever poured in Australia, reaching 88 metres below the surface.
Each pier is the starting point for the construction of the superstructure, which is made up of 1,082 concrete bridge segments produced at the project’s purpose-built precast yard at Bridgewater.
The 21 pairs of piers range in height from eight to 16 metres to provide the navigation clearance under the bridge.
Made up of between 190-310 tonnes of concrete and 25-35 tonnes of steel, each pier is constructed using specially designed steel forms, which allow them to be poured in one piece on site.
The project remains on track to be delivered on time and within budget, with the new bridge due to be completed by July 2025.
