Hobart bridge nears completion

 

Hobart bridge nears completion

 

As the latest Hobart bridge nears completion, historic New Norfolk looks forward to the return of rivertraffic.

 

Before wharves were built in Hobart, all shipping came up the river to the drop anchor. This site was at the ‘top of the tide’ and hence it became one of the earliest settlements in Tasmania.

 

River traffic remained central to the area’s prosperity for many generations. In the prosperous mid-twentieth century, riverboats became integral the growing tourist trade with pleasure ferries like the Cartela bringing weekend trippers up to ‘The Valley of Love’.

 

But the traffic was not all one way. At that time the river was also integral to the lives of the residents of New Norfolk. Old timers tell that one of the major employers, Norske Skog ran regular transport to Hobart for the locals.

 

All this was made possible by the old iron bascule bridge at Bridgewater which opened up to allow boats through. Over time the opening mechanism failed, and river traffic ceased.

 

It has been a long time coming

 

We have all been waiting for the new bridge for some time! We moved here in 2003 and everyone was abuzz with expectation. “Surely the new bridge has to be built now” was the general opinion as the old iron bridge continued to deteriorate.

 

The last section was completed this week and work has commenced on removing the building infrastructure.