Warawee suspension bridge wins Earth Awards

Winners of the Civil Contractors Federation Tasmania Earth Awards

At BridgePro we are always wanting to make an impact – on our colleagues, on our communities, and on the future. Sometimes, however, the biggest impact we can have comes from leaving very little impact…

Not only did our work on the Warrawee Suspension Bridge do just that, but it has also been recently recognised nationally, for its environmental consideration.

Winning the prestigious Earth Award for Excellence in Civil Construction (project value up to $2M) for our role as the Head Contractor in the Warrawee Suspension Bridge project, has been an absolute honour for BridgePro Engineering. This remarkable project involved constructing a high-level 150-meter-long suspension bridge, to accommodate both cyclists and pedestrians, within the Wild Mersey mountain bike trail network.

The project was initiated by the Latrobe Council, who put out a Request for Tender (RFT) to undertake the final siting, design, and construction of the bridge. The Warrawee Suspension Bridge, costing $688,000 in total, was to become the largest single-span suspension bridge in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere.

From the outset, we knew this project demanded innovative solutions to address its unique challenges. Our team's dedication to finding the best solution was unwavering – they considered environmental sustainability and community impact at every stage of planning and design.

We embrace and overcome challenges

One of our key challenges was adhering to the environmental impact requirements set by the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Services, which prohibited any disturbance to the river below. To meet this requirement, we constructed a high-level suspension bridge above the river valley, to avoid constructing piers in the valley itself. Stringing each cable across the river was an exceptional feat, extending far beyond standard construction practices.

As the design phase progressed, our team identified that we needed to develop new competencies, including suspension bridge foundation anchors. To ensure our team's safety and compliance, we held training workshops, sought external guidance, and developed detailed technical and installation procedures.

The impact of the Warrawee Suspension Bridge has been transformative for both the local community and the engineering industry. It has become a major attraction, drawing mountain bike enthusiasts from across the state and interstate to experience the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in Australia.

This project has been a defining moment for us as a company. It has allowed us to showcase our expertise and capability to undertake such a complex and groundbreaking project, all while ensuring minimal environmental impact. The knowledge gained from constructing this bridge will benefit our industry for generations to come.

It might sound boastful, but we believe the Warrawee Suspension Bridge is a true engineering marvel, harmoniously blending innovation with environmental preservation. This project really is testament to our commitment to engineering excellence, and has elevated our profile within the national construction industry. Winning the Earth Award is recognition of our team's dedication and ingenuity, and we are immensely proud to be associated with this remarkable project. It is this kind of work that allows us to really make an impact, and leave a legacy for future generations – both in our industry and in the local community.