River access under old Bridgewater Bridge – December 2025

Work to carefully dismantle and remove the old Bridgewater Bridge is progressing well.

The Department of State Growth advises that boats under 2.2 metres clearance at an average tide will continue to be able to travel under the old Bridgewater Bridge during the Christmas and New Year period.

These arrangements have been in place throughout the construction of the New Bridgewater Bridge, which opened to traffic in June 2025 and features a 16.2m high navigation span.

As part of the bridge demolition project, and to enable vessels to travel upstream towards New Norfolk, work to remove the old bridge’s lift span will start from Friday, 9 January 2026.

While the lift span is safely dismantled and removed from the site, there will be no access for vessels through the main navigation channel.

A Notice to Mariners will be issued through Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) to redirect river traffic through a separate span of the bridge and mariners are urged to check the MAST website before travelling through the area.

A large crane barge is currently moored downstream of the old bridge and mariners are asked to remain within the designated navigation channel at all times and to be aware of the barge and its anchor lines.

The removal of the old Bridgewater Bridge will deliver improved river access, with vessels able to travel freely upstream towards the Derwent Valley.

Work is expected to continue through until mid-2026.

The department thanks river users for their continued cooperation during this important project.