Design Features
Built between 1966 and 1968, it was the first cable-stayed bridge in Australia and among the first such bridges in the world. The main span is 206 metres (676 ft) long, suspended from a 91 metres (299 ft) high steel A-frame tower. The deck is 10.3 metres (34 ft) wide. The tower is constructed on the west bank of the Tamar river, on a solid dolerite rock base which carries 78% of the weight of the main span. The length of the bridge is 432 metres between abutments. The east bank is soft clay not capable of supporting a bridge. A causeway carries the highway across this softer base, supported by four piers built on piles driven up to 18 metres (59 ft) into the clay. The bridge deck is constructed of steel which is lighter than concrete, but required much more welding on site during construction.
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Batman Bridge, off Tamar Hwy, Tasmania
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View of the bridge from Tamar River
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