Bridges

The New Bridgewater Bridge (NBB) Project is Tasmania’s largest ever transport infrastructure project. The project is a critical link in Tasmania’s transport network and forms part of the Australian Government’s National Land Transport Network.

The NBB project involves construction of a four-lane, 1.28 kilometre long bridge over the River Derwent with new interchanges at Granton and Bridgewater, a shared path for cyclists and pedestrians, and a navigation clearance consistent with the Bowen Bridge, all aimed at improving traffic flow and connectivity. The NBB replaces the existing steel-truss vertical lift bridge, which was completed in 1946.

Planning for the replacement river crossing started more than two decades ago, with designs, planning and community consultation evolving over that time.

In 2018, funding for the project was committed by the Australian and Tasmanian governments, with detailed planning, site investigations and community consultation commencing soon after.

This paper sets out the approach taken by the Department of State Growth to procuring the Main Contractor for the project, McConnell Dowell, key challenges with being the first major project in Tasmania to utilise the Tasmanian Government’s new Major Project approvals process and the appointment of other critical parties to support the delivery of the project.

The paper also discusses key decisions made by McConnell Dowell in its approach to the technical delivery of the project and the key governance put in place to minimise impacts to the environment, the local community, and the daily traffic that travels the existing causeway and bridge.