Demolition of the old Bridgewater Bridge near Hobart took another step forward with the scheduled removal of the 41-metre lift span yesterday (January 12).
Barges and cranes have been used to lift and remove the lift span which is to be dismantled and recycled.
The state government says there will be no access for vessels through the main navigation channel on the River Derwent.
Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) is redirecting river traffic through a separate span of the bridge and mariners are urged to check the MAST website before travel.
Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Catherine King says the new bridge offers a dual carriageway, a footpath and cycle line.
“Seeing the old life bridge come down after six decades of service will be a bittersweet moment for Tasmanians,” she says.
“It was one of oldest working lift bridges in Australia but also a cause of considerable traffic delays as traffic volumes north of Hobart increased.
“Instead of waiting for ships to pass through on their journey down the Derwent, traffic now glides above them.”
BRIDGEWATER MILESTONE
Her Tasmanian ministerial counterpart, Kerry Vincent says the lift span’s removal marks “a turning point” for riverside communities.
“This is a significant milestone in delivering a safe, modern crossing between Bridgewater and Granton,” he says.
“Restoring uninterrupted river access is vital for local industry, recreation and tourism throughout the Derwent Valley.”
One such benefit of the project will be the return of the New Norfolk Regatta in 2027, the state government says.
The event was last held in 2000 but had had to be discontinued with restrictions put on upstream access.
Demolition work on the old bridge is slated to continue until the middle of this year.
The largely-federally funded $786m new bridge opened to traffic last June with a 16.2m high span allowing traffic to pass over vessels; Canberra contributed $628m to the project while $157m came from Hobart.
For more information, visit bridgewaterbridge.tas.gov.au.
