Traffic now driving on new Cam River Bridge at Somerset

Having been battered during a flood and endured delays, the new bridge is now inching closer to completion. Timeline set for its full opening.

Construction works on the Cam River Bridge. Picture: Supplied

The new Cam River Bridge has been opened to one lane of traffic.

Transport Minister Michael Ferguson said he was delighted to see part of the new $20 million bridge, which is set to be fully complete in April, open to the public.

“Traffic heading west towards Wynyard on the Bass Highway at Somerset will be moved permanently onto the new bridge from 6:00am on Thursday, 25 January 2024,” Mr Ferguson said.

He said the old Cam River Bridge would be demolished once the eastbound lanes were complete and opened to traffic.

“Please keep to the speed limits and follow the directions of traffic controllers and signs,” he said.

“We appreciate your patience as we progress through the final construction stages for the new bridge.”

Transport Minister Michael Ferguson. Picture: Chris Kidd

The construction of the new bridge at Somerset has been tumultuous.

In October 2022, the original bridge was damaged during floods, resulting in long commuter delays.

Following the floods, the government looked into the feasibility of a second Cam River crossing.

Mr Ferguson previously said the Department of State Growth was collating data from the public consultation period for a second crossing.

“The feedback will form part of the second Cam River crossing feasibility study, which looks at the impacts of a potential new crossing and the pros and cons of locations identified.

“It will take some time for the project team to collate and analyse the feedback and understand the key themes that emerge.

“Once this is done, we will publish the results in a summary consultation report, which is expected to be in 2024.”