Tasmania has reached a major infrastructure milestone, officially opening the $786 million Bridgewater Bridge after more than two-and-a-half years of construction.

The project has been described by the state government as the largest transport infrastructure development in Tasmania’s history. It replaces the ageing steel lift bridge built in the 1940s, as well as a causeway originally constructed by convicts in the 1830s.

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Key Points

1. Spanning 1.28 kilometres, the new bridge is designed to deliver faster, more reliable travel times for the 22,000 daily commuters and freight operators who rely on this key connection north of Hobart.
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2. Cost $786 million in joint Commonwealth and Tasmanian Government funding
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3. The new bridge replaces the ageing steel lift bridge built in the 1940s.

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Project Significance

The project has been years in the making. Originally estimated at $576 million, the bridge ultimately required $786 million – of which almost $629 million was funded by the Commonwealth. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended the opening and highlighted the bridge as a symbol of federal–state cooperation and a generator of local jobs.

Since construction began in October 2022, the project has supported around 1,000 jobs, with more than a quarter of workers drawn from the local community. In total, more than 380 Tasmanian organisations contributed to the project’s delivery.

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Further Details: A modern bridge to replace ageing infrastructure

The new Bridgewater Bridge introduces a range of safety and design upgrades, including a four-lane roadway, enhanced interchanges at Granton and Bridgewater, and a dedicated shared path for cyclists and pedestrians. Its higher clearance also improves access for vessels moving through this portion of the Derwent.

The structure replaces a steel lift-span bridge that has become increasingly unsafe, unreliable, and costly to maintain.

To build the bridge’s 1,082 match-cast segments, the delivery team established a dedicated precast facility just two kilometres from the site, ensuring efficient transport and construction. The project team – also placed strong emphasis on developing local industry capacity.

As the fifth bridge constructed across this section of the River Derwent – and the first modern replacement in more than 70 years – the new Bridgewater Bridge marks a significant moment for Tasmania. It provides a safer, more efficient crossing for commuters, enhances freight connectivity, and leaves a legacy of local capability development across the state.