Midland Hwy, Lyell Hwy & Bridgewater Bridge
The Midland Hwy and Bridgewater Bridge connect Bridgewater, Brighton and Pontville to Granton and Hobart's western shore.
Bridgewater Bridge
Work commenced on the New Bridgewater Bridge in 2022 and it is the largest transport infrastructure project in Tasmania’s history. It includes a 3.0m wide shared path that will extend between Main Road in Granton, the Granton Park and Gunn St Bridgewater. The roadway also has wide sealed shoulders.
​
The bridge was opened on 2 June 2025 but the pathway links to the shared path are still under construction on the Granton and Bridgewater sides. The local road and footpath network will need to be used in the interim. See Bridgewater Bridge website
Brighton Bypass Path
May 2025. Brighton Council received a $500,000 Federal Active Transport Grant to construct a shared path from Glenstone Road to Brighton township (pictured right). Since 2010, Cycling South has requested this link be constructed as it was not included as part of the Brighton bypass project and is a significant gap for active transport between Bridgewater and Brighton.
​
July 2011. As part of the Brighton Bypass project, a 2.5m wide multi-user path has been constructed along the western side of the bypass between Bridgewater and a location approximately 1km south of the Brighton township (path shown in red on the map).​​
April 2009. Cycling South met with DIER and consultants preparing plans for the Brighton Bypass to discuss provision of a multi-user path from Bridgewater, through the industrial estate to Brighton township.
_JPG.jpg)
Railway crossing
​
2011. The notorious angled rail crossing on the causeway leading to the Bridgewater Bridge has finally been addressed, with the disused line asphalted up to the edge and flush with the rail to eliminate the gaps that caught bicycle wheels, causing crashes. See photo.
​
Lyell Hwy
In 2024 upgrades to the Lyell Hwy were announced as a funding commitment as part of the State election. Consultation was undertaken in Oct/Nov 2024.
In 2008 CyclingSouth met with DIER and Pitt and Sherry to discuss how conditions for cyclists could be improved as part of a previous upgrade including:
-
wider sealed shoulders - including in the 'bumpy bits' section which was already upgraded without sealed shoulders
-
Reduced speed zones in some sections
Some improvements were made in 2008/09. ​An off-road shared path should also be considered as part of future upgrades to the Lyell Hwy.
​
2009. The Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources (DIER) will commence works to upgrade the Midland Highway – Lyell Highway junction on the southern side of the Bridgewater Bridge starting Monday 20 April and due to be completed by September 2009. The project works involve reconstruction of the junction to provide a roundabout and upgrade the Forest Road junction to the west. As part of the project road cyclists have been catered for on some of the approaches. The railway crossing will remain a hazard to cyclists due to the awkward angle of approach. CyclingSouth's position is for an off-road multi-user path on the south side of the Bridgewater Bridge to link around the foreshore to Old Main Rd. The pathway would allow cyclists not using the Lyell Hwy to avoid the roundabout and enable a safer crossing of the railway tracks through improved alignment and separation from motor vehicles. CyclingSouth will persue this option as part of any future Bridgewater Bridge replacement.
