The works comprise the demolition and removal of the Old Bridgewater Bridge superstructure and associated elements, following commissioning of the new bridge. The works are limited to the elevated portions of the bridge, with no removal below mudline and specific heritage and rail assets retained in situ.
The project requires signification development and implementation of demolition methodology, temporary works, environmental controls and safety systems.
Scope of works included:
General works
Demolition Works
Temporary Works;
Permanent works;
Utility service works;
Remedial works;
Commissioning;
Project has a number of Special Features such as:
Complex Project Management:
Project management had to align Commonwealth, state, and local approval pathways, including EPBC referral considerations, Major Project Permit conditions, marine and navigation approvals, and heritage requirements. These approvals directly influenced demolition methodology, environmental controls, and timing, requiring close coordination to ensure works could proceed without regulatory hold points or re‑work.
Demolition staging was tightly sequenced to progressively remove the lift span and approach spans while maintaining safe marine navigation, rail operations, road access, and interfaces with the adjacent new Bridgewater Bridge works. This required detailed program logic, early removal of critical constraints (such as the lift span), and continual re‑coordination of works as access, exclusions, and possessions changed.
The project demanded proactive engagement with transport agencies, marine authorities, regulators, local councils, rail operators, emergency services, and the community. Stakeholder management was particularly complex due to the visibility of the works, sensitivity around heritage and environmental impacts, and the need to clearly communicate changing conditions such as closures, exclusion zones, noise events, and milestone demolition activities.
Traffic Control:
Traffic management was complex due to the need to maintain road access in a narrow corridor shared with rail operations, marine access, and the adjacent new Bridgewater Bridge works. This was successfully managed through early planning, stable long‑term traffic arrangements, and demolition staging that avoided lane closures on the Midland Highway while accommodating changing site access and construction movements.
Service Relocations:
Service relocations were complex due to the presence of live electrical, communications, rail‑related, and monitoring services integrated into an ageing bridge structure and adjacent infrastructure. This was managed through early service investigations, detailed mapping, and close coordination with service authorities to confirm ownership, isolation requirements, and sequencing before demolition activities commenced.
Location
Bridgewater
Client
Department of State Growth
Head Contractor
McConnell Dowell
Type of works
Supply of Concrete
Overall Project Value
Over $786 million
Status
In Progress (Completion in 2025)
Hazell Bros Concrete was awarded the contract for the concrete supply for the New Bridgewater Bridge by McConnel Dowell in 2022. The supply includes the concrete for piles, piers, bridge segments and all other civil works.
We worked closely with QualTech TAS, our NATA accredited testing laboratory who designed some of the most technically challenging concrete mixes to ensure the successful delivery of the project. Hazell Bros Concrete will supply / (has supplied) in excess of 47,000m3 of concrete for the entire project (approximately 120,000 tonnes).
Key Highlights for the Concrete Supply:
Concrete for 46 marine piles including an 89m deep pile (believed to be the deepest drilled pile in the Southern Hemisphere)
Concrete for 42 piers and cross heads
Concrete for 1082 precast segments
Concrete for two land bridges at both sides of the bridge.
Concrete for all associated civil works
All the major mixes designed by QualTech TAS are made of GP Cement and other Supplementary Cementitious Materials with a combination of either a Triple Blend or Double Blend concrete. This contributes to producing the most durable concrete for the conditions and lowering the carbon footprint.
Two concrete batch plants entirely dedicated for the supply of concrete to the project situated at Bridgewater along with our batch plant at Lampton Avenue acting as our backup plant. One of the two concrete batch plants is the only large commercial wet mix plant operating in Tasmania.
High quality stone used in the concrete was sourced from Hazell Bros Quarry located at Leslie Vale, and Hazell Bros Transport played a major role in getting large quantities of materials to the batch plant site in a timely manner.
This project is a prime example of Hazell Bros’ vertically integrated business model, showcasing the seamless collaboration between our Concrete, Quarry, and Transport divisions, as well as our testing laboratory, QualTech TAS. It also highlights the successful partnership between the head contractor and subcontractor, working together to deliver an iconic, high-quality outcome.
