ONE of the southbound lanes of the Brooker Hwy between the Granton roundabout and Black Snake Rd overpass will be closed for about two weeks from 7pm today (August 15). One lane will remain open to traffic and a 60km/h speed limit will be in place while drilling work is done as part of early activities for the new Bridgewater Bridge.
From 7pm today, concrete barriers will be installed to separate the worksite from traffic. The Department of State Growth says this will take about round two hours, and traffic may be stopped for short periods of time while the barriers are unloaded and installed.
From tomorrow (August 16), drilling will start at one of two sites on either side of the Black Snake Rd overpass on the Brooker Hwy. This will take around two weeks to complete and once the drilling is finished, the barriers will be removed, and the lane will be reopened.
“This work will help to inform the final design for the new Bridgewater Bridge and interchanges, and is part of a program of early activities including geotechnical investigations in Bridgewater, Granton and the River Derwent, site investigations and detailed design work and community consultation,” a spokesperson said.
“Major construction work to build the new Bridgewater Bridge will start later this year and the new bridge will be open to traffic by the end of 2024. Drivers are asked to plan their journey ahead of time and follow posted speed limits and any directions given by traffic controllers.”
Ongoing preparations for construction of the new bridge will see the Bridgewater boat ramp closed from August 22. The boat ramp, jetty and surrounding area will form part of the work site, but Nielsen Esplanade, including the playground, will remain accessible throughout the project.
The project is planning to reinstate the boat ramp at the completion of the project, in consultation with the Brighton Council. The Department of State Growth suggests that river users wishing to access the river can do so at the Old Beach boat ramp, about 8km downstream.
More information can be found on the New Bridgewater Bridge Project website at bridgewaterbridge.tas.gov.au
Pictured: An artist’s impression of the new Bridgewater Bridge from the Granton side.
