Boats can now travel the full stretch of the River Derwent between Hobart and New Norfolk for the first time in nearly 80 years following the demolition of the Old Bridgewater Bridge.
The river has been bridged at Bridgewater since 1849, with the old structure built in the 1940s.
The new $786 million Bridgewater Bridge opened to traffic in June 2025, significantly upgrading the connection between Hobart’s northern suburbs and the Midlands.
Infrastructure and Transport Minister Kerry Vincent joined the first group of boats to make the journey up the Derwent.
“The removal of the old bridge and its lift span mark a big milestone for communities up and down the Derwent,” Vincent said.
“This milestone reflects years of planning and will now bring about a new opportunity to explore this iconic waterway.”
Parts of the historic bridge have been kept and will be turned into artworks on the banks of the river, with the rest transported offside for recycling.
Vincent said the opening of the waterway would bring new opportunities for tourism, recreation and local industry throughout the Derwent Valley.
“By having the Derwent open, the New Norfolk Regatta is set to return in 2027, giving just a taste of what’s to come for years ahead now this waterway is open,” he said.
“This summer will be a great one for the boating community with the upper reaches of the Derwent now in easy reach.”
The $13 million demolition project was led by Hazell Brothers in a joint venture with Brodie Marine and Civil.
Chief Operating Officer Ed McPhillips described the work as careful and precise when demolition began in January 2025.
“It’s a demolition project, but we call it a bespoke engineering dismantling project,” McPhillips said.
“We definitely don’t use explosives. Everything’s quite calculated. We’re in a very marine sensitive environment.”
The steel was recycled, while concrete was crushed and reused as road base.
The convict-built causeway has been kept in place and will be revegetated.
The demolition was funded 80% by the federal government and 20% by the state government.
Bridgewater Bridge Project Director Ben Maloney has previously said the new bridge was built high enough to match the nearby Bowen Bridge.
“Vessels capable of going underneath the existing Bowen Bridge will be able to get under ours,” he said.
