Bridgewater Bridge - Bridgewater, Tasmania
S 42° 44.449 E 147° 13.547
55G E 518480 N 5267941
Bridgewater Bridge had the largest lift span in Australia.
Waymark Code: WM74TB
Location: Tasmania, Australia
Date Posted: 09/01/2009
Views: 14
Bridgewater Bridge was completed in 1947. It is the largest Tasmanian through-truss bridge and until recently had the largest lift span in Australia. Unfortunately, this Heritage Classified Bridge was neglected and in October 2006, it was closed for more than a week when sections of the lift mechanism were found to be badly corroded.
The bridge was subsequently cleared for motor vehicle and train traffic but it no longer raises. The bridge forms part of the main highway between the South and North of Tasmania and it's closure disrupted intrastate road and rail traffic. Because the bridge no longer raises large river craft are essentially stuck either up or downstream.
There are plans for a new bridge, although thanks to it's heritage listing the Bridgewater Bridge will not be demolished. Hopefully the bridge will become part of a Hobart to New Norfolk bicycle rail-trail.
Visit Instructions:
1) After you've found a vertical lift bridge, go visit it, get the coordinates, a picture or two of it, and if it is in use or not still as a lift bridge.
Then log it and post your pictures! At least one of the photos must be of you and your GPS there with the bridge in the background. (No old vacation shots or photos off the internet!)
2) Include the coordinates, city/county/state/country and the name of the bridge (if it has one).
3) Include any interesting information about the structure