Bowen Bridge, Cantilever road bridge in Hobart, Tasmania
Bowen Bridge is a segmental cantilever road bridge over the River Derwent, linking Clarence on the east shore with Glenorchy on the west. It has eight river spans of 109 metres each, end spans of 48 and 56 metres, and a deck 21.4 metres wide carrying a divided highway and a shared-use walkway on the north side.
Prime Minister Bob Hawke opened the bridge in 1984, marking an important milestone in Tasmania's transport development. The project responded to regional needs and improved connections across the river following earlier infrastructure challenges.
The bridge takes its name from John Bowen, a British colonist who established Tasmania's first European settlements. His name reflects the region's early colonial history and continues to mark this connection today.
The bridge is accessible to both pedestrians and vehicles, with clear separation between traffic types. Visiting during daylight hours provides the best views of the crossing and the river below.
The river piers were built as reinforced concrete caissons 13.3 metres in diameter with 1.2-metre walls, designed to absorb a 1,600-tonne barge impact at up to 45 degrees. The deepest pier reaches 48 metres below mean sea level, and the bridge holds 105,000 tonnes of concrete.
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