The Rockliff Liberal Government is building the infrastructure Tasmania needs for now and into the future as well making our roads safer and more efficient.
Key to this is the $786 million new Bridgewater Bridge which is taking shape beautifully, with construction of the state’s largest ever transport infrastructure project now in its second year.
From next week, major traffic changes will take place in Granton so construction can progress safely.
A new temporary roundabout will be in place on the Brooker Highway and all through traffic will switch onto the new Lyell Highway alignment.
A section of Black Snake Road will be closed, and Main Road traffic will be temporarily directed along George Street for about three months to travel north or south on the Brooker Highway.
There will be safe pedestrian access and access to properties across the project site at all times.
In early 2024, all Midland Highway northbound traffic in Bridgewater will be diverted along Old Main Road, while southbound traffic will remain on the existing highway.
Drivers travelling through the area are asked to always follow posted speed limits, watch out for workers and obey any instructions given by traffic controllers.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Michael Ferguson, said major construction had gained momentum after the completion of the temporary bridge, allowing construction to continue without impacting traffic.
“The original construction schedule remains on time to be completed in mid-2025,” the Minister said.
“While opening the bridge to one lane of traffic in each direction at 60kph by the end of 2024 was the initial target, I am advised by project management that they can complete the job more efficiently, with less risk to worker safety and open to all four lanes of traffic at 80kph within the overall due date.
“Maximising local industry participation in the project has been a priority, but this has meant it has taken longer than expected to ramp up to peak production.
“Planning work started back in 2019, so to finish this project within months of the forecast date will be a significant achievement considering the challenges across the building and construction industry.”
“Last week I visited the New Bridgewater Bridge project site and was thoroughly impressed with the rate at which the new bridge is taking shape,” Mr Ferguson said.
“Anyone who has driven through the area recently would have seen the hive of activity taking place across the project site.
“From the crews working nonstop to produce more than 1,000 concrete bridge segments, to the teams making sure people can travel safely through the site, everyone is working hard to get this project finished.”
Across the project site, 14 of the 42 bridge piers have been poured and more than 190,000 cubic metres of earth moved.
Crews are working hard to complete both bridge abutments, with all land piers completed and segments being lifted into place.
Works are continuing to ramp up at the project’s purpose-built pre-cast concrete production facility with 97 of the 1,082 concrete bridge segments complete and being delivered to site.
At peak production the facility will produce up to five segments each day and employ about 90 people.
The project is supporting more than 1,000 direct and indirect jobs as well as upskilling Tasmanian workers.
