McConnell Dowell can confirm the Bridgewater Bridge was designed and verified by world-leading, qualified experts with international experience in this type of structure. In fact, there are no unresolved structural safety risks and the bridge has been independently certified as safe, compliant, and fit for purpose.
Regarding recent media reports, the commentary relies heavily on the opinions of a former technical advisor who disagreed with aspects of the selected design methodology during the design review process. McConnell Dowell can confirm that the design process underwent rigorous independent verification and achieved contractual and engineering compliance requirements as highlighted in the media coverage.
The Department of State Growth (DSG) is on the record for stating:
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The Bridgewater Bridge is safe
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The Proof Engineer and the Independent Verifier all certified the final structural designs as being compliant and fit-for purpose, including the pile designs
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The bridge has not experienced any unanticipated movement
The commentary also suggests routine engineering monitoring is evidence of failure risk. As DSG confirmed, these monitoring systems, which are a standard industry approach, form part of the verification process to confirm the bridge piles were performing as expected once they had been constructed. Their existence is evidence of prudent engineering governance, not structural concern.
Importantly, the commentary provides no evidence of actual structural distress, unanticipated movement, or operational safety risk. The technical advisor who was quoted expressly acknowledged he did not fear sudden, significant damage to the bridge. Assertions regarding possible future speed reductions or traffic management are entirely speculative and unsupported by any operational evidence or independent finding.
McConnell Dowell and its qualified designers have a long history of delivering major bridge and marine infrastructure projects across Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia under rigorous engineering and assurance standards. The Bridgewater Bridge project is no exception.
