Blair Street Bridge
Coordinates	42°46′44.68″S 147°3′24.03″E / 42.7790778°S 147.0566750°E / -42.7790778; 147.0566750
Carries	Lyell Highway
Crosses	River Derwent
Locale	New Norfolk
Other name(s)	New Norfolk Bridge
Maintained by	Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources
Characteristics
Design	Concrete and steel girder bridge
No. of spans	7
Piers in water	5
No. of lanes	2
History
Construction start	1971
Opened	1974
Replaces	Bridge Street Bridge (c. 1930-1974)
Location

The Blair Street Bridge is a concrete and steel girder bridge carrying the Lyell Highway through the township of New Norfolk across the River Derwent in Tasmania, Australia. Completed in 1974, the Blair Street Bridge is the fourth bridge to be constructed at New Norfolk. The bridge's steel girders were built by Russell Allport & Co on Sunderland Street in Moonah, Tasmania.

History

Generally known as the "New Norfolk Bridge", the Blair Street Bridge at New Norfolk has a rich history dating back to the early 19th century. The first wooden bridge constructed across the Derwent River near this location was completed in 1834. This bridge was a pivotal development, connecting New Norfolk with the surrounding regions, facilitating transportation and trade. It was built under the direction of Assistant Surveyor General William Sharland, who owned the 1824 property known as Woodbridge. A 2d toll was collected for crossing the bridge.

The Toll House, built in 1841, initially collected tolls from pedestrians. In 1842, the bridge opened to accommodate vehicular traffic.

Over time, subsequent bridges were built at the same location. The remnants of the first three bridges, including materials from the original 1834 structure and the later Victorian dressed-sandstone of the second bridge, can still be observed near Woodbridge at the end of Bridge Street.

The Blair Street Bridge serves as a modern crossing connecting the town with surrounding areas. Commencing construction in 1971, the development was aimed at withstanding valley floods before the Meadowbank weirs were established.

Sources

• New bridge over the Derwent River at New Norfolk, The Dept, 1970, retrieved 29 December 2023
• "Opening of the New Bridge at New Norfolk", The Mercury, Tasmania, Australia, vol. XXXVI, no. 5924, p. 3, 4 June 1880, retrieved 29 December 2023 – via National Library of Australia
• "New Norfolk Bridge", The Mercury, Tasmania, Australia, vol. CXXII, no. 17, 933, p. 9, 17 April 1925, retrieved 30 December 2023 – via National Library of Australia
• "New Norfolk Bridge: Piles Strengthened", The Mercury, Tasmania, Australia, vol. CXXXVI, no. 20, 117, p. 6, 29 January 1932, retrieved 30 December 2023 – via National Library of Australia
• "New Norfolk Bridge: Council Urge Completion, Old Bridge Removal", The Mercury, Tasmania, Australia, vol. CXXXV, no. 19, 997, p. 3, 10 September 1931, retrieved 30 December 2023 – via National Library of Australia