Work to build Tasmania's largest ever transport infrastructure project is surging ahead, with the new Bridgewater Bridge reaching another major milestone.
The last of the 1,082 concrete segments that will make up the 1.2-kilometre-long deck of the new bridge has been produced in Bridgewater.
The Australian and Tasmanian governments are investing $786 million in the project, with the Australian Government committing $628.8 million.
The project will fix the missing link between the Brooker Highway and Midland Highway.
The four-lane bridge will include two lanes of traffic in each direction, a safe shared path for cyclists and pedestrians, and clearance for boats.
Over the past 18 months, the project's purpose-built precast facility has produced the 1,082 segments, each weighing between 50 and 90 tonnes and measuring 15 metres wide.
The segments have been cast using five moulds and stored on site before being transported two kilometres down the road to the construction site, where they are lifted into place using specially designed machinery.
At peak production, the facility produced up to five segments each day and will remain in place following the completion of the project for use on future projects in the state.
Construction contractor, McConnell Dowell has placed an emphasis on skill development and pathway opportunities to the workforce at the precast yard, with a key focus of the project being creating jobs, upskilling workers and supporting Tasmanian industry.
A key benefit of building the precast yard close to the project site in Bridgewater has been the jobs and training opportunities it has provided, particularly for low and unskilled workers.
