Bridge gets green light
New Bridgewater crossing to open end of 2024
THE Bridgewater Bridge has taken a major step toward being built after becoming the first project to be given planning approval under the state’s major projects legislation.
First floated as a $100m project under the Howard government in 1998, the $786m Derwent crossing is now on track to be completed, 26 years later.
Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson said the bridge would be the biggest transport infrastructure project in the state’s history.
“This is a great day for Tasmania. It’s a very proud day for me, I can barely contain my joy,” he said, holding the permit for the works.
“The independent Major Project Assessment Panel appointed by the Tasmanian Planning Commission has approved the construction of the bridge. The project is the first to use the Tasmanian government’s new Major Projects assessment process,” he said.
“The receipt of planning approval paves the way for work to start later this year on the project.
“It will be constructed over the next three years and will see a new four-lane bridge built downstream of the existing Bridgewater Bridge.”
Major construction is expected to begin in the second half of this year.
The new bridge is expected to be open to traffic by the end of 2024, with the overall project completed, including the two new highway interchanges and the demolition of the existing bridge, in mid-2025.
Tasmanian Liberal senator Jonno Duniam, who was in high school when Mr Howard first promised the bridge, said the project was a great example of state and federal governments working together.
“We work together, we fund these projects that the Tasmanian government get on, and plan and build,’’ he said.
“What you’re seeing today are the fruits of that very strong relationship.”
Brighton Mayor Leigh Gray welcomed the announcement.
“The Brighton Council has stressed the importance of the bridge replacement for many years, and it is gratifying this is about to become a reality,” he said.
“The construction of a new Bridgewater Bridge will boost our local economy and employment opportunities, significantly improve Tasmania’s vital north-south transport link, improve safety and reduce congestion for the 22,000 vehicles that travel across the bridge each day.”