Tenders received for New Bridgewater Bridge - Aug 2021

The New Bridgewater Bridge Project has reached its biggest milestone to date, with tenders received for the design and construction of the $576 million project.

Bids have been received from CPB Contractors and McConnell Dowell Constructors, which started a competitive Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) design process in December 2020 and have been working with the New Bridgewater Bridge project team to develop their designs and tender for the project.

With increased size and load capacity and a higher speed limit, the new bridge will strengthen Tasmania’s National Highway and boost productivity on one of the State’s most important freight routes.

The new Bridgewater Bridge is one of the biggest projects in Tasmanian history, with two of Australia’s biggest construction companies to use their specialist knowledge and expertise to design a bridge that will deliver the best outcomes for Tasmania.

Each tenderer has provided a Tasmanian Industry Participation Plan (TIPP) as part of their priced tenders meaning local jobs will be at the forefront of the project.

Involving Tasmanian businesses and suppliers to help build the project will ensure that the project delivers economic and social benefits to Tasmanian industry, businesses, jobs and the community.

With major construction to start in mid-2022, work to date has focused on site investigations, including detailed geotechnical and survey work, environmental investigations and heritage assessments to inform a Major Project Impact Statement (MPIS).

The process will include a period of public exhibition later this year, with planning approval expected to be received early next year.

As the first project to be declared under the new Major Projects legislation due to its size, complexity and importance to the Tasmanian economy, the submission of the MPIS is a key step in realising the new Bridgewater Bridge.

The coordinated assessment and approvals processes allowed through this Major Project status is an important step in the project to ensure the appropriate checks and balances are in place.

Given the new Bridgewater Bridge’s Major Project status, the MPIS will be assessed by an independent expert panel, appointed by the Tasmanian Planning Commission and with expertise provided by relevant statutory regulators.

With the two ECI proposals received, a preferred tenderer will be engaged by the end of the year, and the community will have an opportunity to provide feedback on the chosen design before construction starts.

The existing bridge has two lanes, a 60km/h speed limit and is load limited. The new bridge will have a minimum design speed of 80km/h and will connect the Brooker Highway and Midland Highway with four lanes, including new interchanges in Bridgewater and Granton.

The new bridge will be open to traffic by the end of 2024.

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