Motorists will have an unexpected opportunity to drive over the historic old Bridgewater Bridge, as final construction on its replacement forces traffic changes from today.
The nostalgic detour comes as crews enter a critical phase of the new Bridgewater Bridge project, which requires the temporary closure of a section of the Lyell Highway at Granton.
For the next five weeks, Hobart-bound traffic from New Norfolk will be diverted over the old bridge that has connected both sides of the River Derwent for nearly 80 years.
The detour begins today, with workers closing the highway between Black Snake Road and the Granton causeway to construct a new section of road and complete the P-turn at the Granton causeway roundabout.
Vehicles heading to Hobart will cross the old bridge before choosing their onward route via the Boyer Road ramp or Old Main Road to reach the Midland Highway.
New Norfolk-bound traffic will use the Black Snake Road underpass and new roundabout to travel beneath the new bridge.
A second phase of works will start in early July and run for about four weeks.
Most detours will stay the same, but the New Norfolk-bound lane between Black Snake Road and the Granton roundabout will reopen.
Once construction is complete, permanent traffic flow will resume and the old bridge will step back into retirement.
