Tasmania is now home to a purpose-built pre-cast concrete production facility that will manufacture more than 1,000 segments for the new Bridgewater Bridge, the biggest transport infrastructure project in the state’s history.
Over the next 18 months, the facility is set to produce bridge segments that will form the deck of the $786 million bridge.
The segments, each weighing between 50 and 90 tonnes and measuring 15 m wide, will be cast from five moulds and will be stored on site before being transported 2 kilometres to the construction site.
In a media release, the Tasmanian government said the facility is expected to produce up to five bridge segments each day at the peak of production and will employ about 90 people.
The facility will remain in place following the completion of the 1.2-km-long bridge for use on future projects in Tasmania.
“Creating jobs, upskilling workers and supporting Tasmanian industry is a key focus of the new Bridgewater Bridge project,” said Tasmanian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael Ferguson. “Around a quarter of the workforce will be new to the industry, with many coming through the project’s pre-employment program that was rolled out earlier this year.”
Construction of the project’s temporary bridge is due to be completed in August, with work underway to build the bridge abutments on the northern and southern shores and the first of 42 concrete bridge piers to be poured in the coming weeks.
The Australian and Tasmanian governments are funding the construction of the Bridgewater Bridge, with the federal government allocating $628.8 million and the Tasmanian government $157.2 million.
“The Australian Government is pleased to be funding, with the Tasmanian Government, this much-needed bridge replacement, improving safety, streamlining passenger and freight travel, as well as providing employment opportunities for the construction of this and future bridges,” said Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King.
“Upskilling and employing locals on a project of this size and scale will provide improved job and career opportunities for Tasmanians,” Minister King added.
The new bridge is expected to begin serving the public by the end of 2024, with the overall project slated for completion in early 2025.
