New Bridgewater Bridge Project
Client: McConnell Dowell
Location: Bridgewater, Tasmania
Services: Construction Materials Testing
Construction Sciences Units:
New Bridgewater Bridge Annex
Laboratory, Hobart Laboratory
Project Description:
The New Bridgewater Bridge is Tasmania’s largest ever transport infrastructure project, and one of Australia’s largest road bridges over water. Located north of Hobart, the 1.28 kilometre bridge spans over the River Derwent and forms a critical connection between the Brooker and Midland Highways.
The construction of 1,082 match-cast bridge segments involved a range of logistical, technical, and workforce complexities. To address these, the project team set up a dedicated precast facility just two kilometres from the bridge, strategically positioned for its close proximity, suitable ground conditions, and accessible road links.
Delivered under the Hobart City Deal, jointly funded by the Australian and Tasmanian Governments, the project included major new interchanges at Granton and Bridgewater, a grade-separated interchange linking the Brooker and Lyell Highways, and a three-metre shared pedestrian and cycle path. The bridge has significantly improved travel times for more than 22,000 daily commuters and enhanced freight efficiency between Tasmania’s north and south.
Our Role:
Construction Sciences delivered quality assurance testing for the New Bridgewater Bridge project in partnership with McConnell Dowell. Operating from its nearby Bridgewater base, the team provided bulk earthworks testing, electro-chemical testing for reinforced earth-wall materials, pavement crushed rock testing, grout testing, pile-integrity testing for bridge columns and piers, and asphalt density testing across the site, including the bridge overlay.
*Images courtesy of McConnell Dowell.
