New Bridgewater bridge taking shape in big shed: MP Brian Mitchell bets on completion date

A Tassie MP who predicted the Bridgewater Bridge will miss its opening date will be eating more than his words. See the photos and when it’s expected to open to traffic >>

McConnell Dowell interface manager Gary Baird with the first segment manufactured at the new Bridgewater Bridge concrete facility at Bridgewater. Picture: Chris Kidd

Just north of the Derwent, piece by piece in an enormous shed, a massive bridge is taking shape.

The McConnell Dowell precast concrete production facility will produce 1082 segments that will be cured on site before being taken two kilometres down the hill to form part of the new Bridgewater bridge.

Each segment will be 15 metres wide and weigh between 50 and 90 tonnes.

More than two decades after being first mooted, the $786m bridge will stretch when completed, something continually promised for late 2024.

Federal member for Lyons Brian Mitchell and Acting Premier Michael Ferguson toured the big shed on Tuesday.

Brian Mitchell MP and Michael Ferguson MP at the new Bridgewater Bridge concrete facility at Bridgewater. Picture: Chris Kidd

In 2022, when Labor was in opposition federally, Mr Mitchell famously offered to eat his hat if the bridge was open to traffic by the end of 2024.

“That bet stands in place,” he said on Tuesday. “But I’d be very happy to lose that bet.

“I’ve got to say from the efficiency I’ve seen from this team and from what’s been happening behind me and from the work that we’ve been seen being done on the bridge down there opposite Macca’s, I reckon I may well be on line to lose that bet.

“Who knows? If I do, well, I’ll stay true to my word. I’ll take a chunk out of the Akubra.”

Mr Mitchell upped the bet with the offer of a hat-shaped cake for the construction workforce if they beat the deadline.

Mr Ferguson said the scale and pace of the works on the new bridge were impressive.

“This is a phenomenal piece of work, it’s going to generate between four and five units each and every day at its peak and it’s going to generate employment of 90 people,” he said.

“This is further delivery of the Tasmanian Liberal government’s project management of an incredible piece of infrastructure, the largest-ever piece of public infrastructure that we’ve built in Tasmania.

The first segment manufactured at the new Bridgewater Bridge concrete facility at Bridgewater. Picture: Chris Kidd

New Bridgewater Bridge concrete facility at Bridgewater. Picture: Chris Kidd

“I have again received confirmation that project remains on track to be open to traffic by December of next year and of course the following pieces including finalising the interchanges in 2025.

“It’s a great credit to the men and women that are working on this job that we’ve seen so much progress so rapidly.

“Nobody can drive by Bridgewater without being so impressed with the progress that has been achieved.

“Just imagine how proud we’ll all be when we’re able to drive across our new bridge unifying the north and the south, connecting us to our capital with modern fit-for-purpose infrastructure that doesn’t close off the river.”