Bridgewater Bridge opening

A Bridge to the Future: Opening of the New Bridgewater Bridge

On a crisp Sunday morning, 1 June 2025, with temperatures hovering around 7°C, dignitaries and community members gathered to mark a historic milestone — the official opening of the $786 million Bridgewater Bridge. The event drew an impressive crowd, including the Prime Minister, Premier, Lieutenant Governor, Ministers, Secretaries, business leaders, and members of the public, all there to witness a new chapter in Tasmania’s infrastructure story.

The ceremony was a proud moment for the project team, as 130 VIP guests watched the ribbon being cut and a gleaming red 1910s Roadster becoming the first vehicle to cross the new span. Honoured guests Barbara Jones and Margaret McMaster, both lifelong locals who had also attended the opening of the original 1946 Bridgewater Bridge, were invited to unveil the commemorative plaque and take the inaugural drive in the vintage car. Their presence provided a poignant link between past and present.

After the formalities, approximately 12,000 people took the rare opportunity to walk across the new bridge — a moment to savour, and likely the only chance to do so before it becomes part of the daily rhythm of traffic and travel.

The construction of the new Bridgewater Bridge stands as a monumental achievement for the state of Tasmania — a landmark project that blends engineering excellence with historical significance, and one that will serve generations to come.