Temporary closure of Bridgewater Bridge lifting span – January 2023

To facilitate the construction of the new Bridgewater Bridge, the Department of State Growth will temporarily close the lifting span on the existing Bridgewater Bridge.

From 1 March 2023 until late November 2023 the lifting span will be non-operational, restricting river travel for taller vessels travelling past Bridgewater.

The existing bridge is at the end of its functional life, increasing the risk of failures during operation of its lifting span, particularly while the new bridge’s foundations are being built close to it.

The existing Bridgewater Bridge lifting span will recommence operations by next summer, subject to condition assessments at that time.

The Department of State Growth will continue to work with affected stakeholders for the duration of the closure.

The existing Bridgewater Bridge, opened in 1946, is required to be raised for any vessel higher than 2.2 metres on an average tide.

Current figures show the lifting span has been raised for vessels only around 90 times over the past two years, and its operation is becoming unreliable and has the potential to impact traffic travelling on the National Highway between Hobart and Launceston if it fails to close properly.

Once complete, the new Bridgewater Bridge will be much higher and will include a navigation clearance beneath it consistent with the Bowen Bridge, allowing vessels to move freely past Bridgewater towards New Norfolk.

Construction on the once-in-a-generation project has started, and traffic is expected to be travelling on the new Bridgewater Bridge by the end of 2024.