Construction continues to ramp up on New Bridgewater Bridge Project

McConnell Dowell has announced that the massive New Bridgewater Bridge Project in Tasmania is ramping up and the contractor has shared its latest flythrough of the project progression. 

The delivery and smooth placement of the first of 1,082 concrete bridge segments signals the beginning of major construction of the New Bridgewater Bridge – Tasmania’s largest ever transport infrastructure project. 

The project is also seeing the purpose-built pre-cast facility at full operation while piling and pier construction progresses and the civil team going ahead with the delivery of two major traffic interchanges. 

Major construction on the New Bridgewater Bridge Project commenced in late 2022. 

The project features include: 

• A new bridge with two lanes in each direction 
• New interchanges at Bridgewater and Granton 
• An 80km/h speed limit 
• A safe shared path for cyclists and pedestrians 
• Safety screens and barriers 
• A navigation clearance consistent with the Bowen Bridge 

A grade separated interchange will connect the Brooker and Lyell highways to the new bridge and connections to local roads will be provided in Bridgewater and Granton. 

The new one-kilometre-long structure is going to be built downstream the existing Bridgewater Bridge, which will remain open while the new bridge is under construction. 

Once the new bridge is operational, the old bridge is going to be decommissioned due to its poor condition and growing maintenance cost. Majority of the structure will be removed, with some elements to be retained in place while others will be installed in the local area near the bridge. 

The final design and construct contract with McConnell Dowell was signed in July 2022. McConnell Dowell’s project team consists of design partners Jacob, Tony Gee and Partners, Tonkin and Taylor, Wood Marsh, and Pitt & Sherry. 

McConnell Dowell is also focusing on local involvement in the delivery of the project to help maximise economic value for Tasmania. To date, the project team has engaged with a range of local builders, including Batchelor, BridgePro and Hazel Brothers. 

Construction of the New Bridgewater Bridge Project is anticipated to support up to 1,000 direct and indirect jobs, including more than 250 direct jobs for Tasmanians. 

Source: McConnell Dowell (1, 2); Roads & Infrastructure Australia; Tasmanian Government – New Bridgewater Bridge Project (1, 2)