Tasmania has officially opened its largest-ever transport infrastructure project, with the new Bridgewater Bridge now operational, delivering a major boost to connectivity, safety, and economic growth across the state.
The $786 million project was jointly funded by the Albanese and Rockliff Governments, with the Australian Government contributing $628.8 million and the Tasmanian Government providing the remaining $157.2 million. The new bridge replaces ageing infrastructure with a modern four-lane crossing over the River Derwent and was delivered on time and on budget.
Spanning 1.2 kilometres, the new bridge features modern safety elements, improved marine clearance, and a 3-metre-wide shared path for pedestrians and cyclists. With all four lanes operating at 80 km/h, the bridge is expected to significantly reduce travel times and ease congestion for commuters, freight operators and the local community.
“This is a bridge built by Tasmanians for Tasmanians,” said Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff. “It’s a testament to what we can achieve when we work together.”
The bridge also represents a long-term investment in regional capacity and economic development. Since construction began in October 2022, the project has supported around 1000 jobs, with more than 25 per cent of the workforce drawn from the local area. Employment and training programs created on-site pathways for apprentices, trainees, and new entrants to the civil construction sector.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure Catherine King described the project as a “historic milestone” for Tasmania, noting that it continues a legacy stretching back to the first Bridgewater Bridge built in 1848.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the project would benefit Tasmanians for generations.
“This bridge is about more than meeting today’s needs – it’s about delivering the world-class infrastructure Tasmanians deserve,” he says.
Final works will continue across the site in the coming weeks, including landscaping, the removal of the temporary bridge and barges, and the construction of a new roundabout linking Old Main Road and Gunn Street.
The new bridge symbolises a new chapter for Tasmania’s transport network, strengthening a key link in the state’s infrastructure for decades to come.