Batman Bridge

The Batman Bridge is a modern bridge crossing the Tamar River in northern Tasmania. It was built from 1966 to 1968 and was the first Cable-stayed bridge in Australia. The bridge is on the Batman Highway connecting the West Tamar Highway to the East Tamar Highway.

Batman Bridge

Carries                      Batman Highway

Crosses                     Tamar River

Locale                       Sidmouth, Tasmania

Design                       Cable-stayed

Total length              (675.8 ft)

Width                        (33.8 ft)

Opening date            May 18, 1968

The main span is 206 metres (675.8 ft) long, suspended from a 91 metre (298.5 ft) high sloped A-frame tower. The deck is 10.3 metres (33.8 ft) wide. The tower is constructed on the west bank of the Tamar river, on a solid dolerite rock base. 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. The bridge overlooks the Deviot Sailing Club and is named after John Batman, Launceston businessman and founder of Melbourne.