{{Short description|Bridge in Tasmania, Australia}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}} {{Use Australian English|date=June 2011}} {{Infobox Bridge |bridge_name= Batman Bridge |image=Tasmania - Batman Bridge.jpg |caption= |official_name= |carries= [[Image:Australian Alphanumeric State Route B73.svg|20px|(B73)]] [[Batman Highway]] |crosses=[[Tamar River (Tasmania)|Tamar River]] |locale=[[Sidmouth, Tasmania|Sidmouth]], [[Tasmania]], [[Australia]] |maint= |design= [[Cable-stayed bridge|Cable-stayed]] |mainspan= {{convert|206|m|ft}} |length= {{convert|432|m|ft}} |width= {{convert|10.3|m|ft}} |height= {{convert|91|m|ft}} |clearance= |below= |traffic=2,013<ref>{{cite web |year=2003 |url=http://www.ozroads.com.au/TAS/routenumbering/current/B73/b73.htm |title=BATMAN HIGHWAY |publisher=ozroads.com.au |accessdate=24 March 2008}}{{Self-published source|date=December 2013}}</ref> |open= 18 May 1968 |closed= |toll= |map_cue= |map_image= |map_text= |map_width= |coordinates={{coord|41|13|01|S|146|54|51|E|region:AU-TAS_type:landmark|display=it}} |lat= |long= }}
The '''Batman Bridge''' is a modern [[road bridge]] that carries the [[Batman Highway]] across the [[Tamar River, Tasmania|Tamar River]], between Whirlpool Reach, Hillwood at its eastern end and [[Sidmouth, Tasmania|Sidmouth]] / Deviot midpoint at its western end, in north [[Tasmania]], [[Australia]]. The bridge connects the Batman Highway with the [[West Tamar Highway]] (state route A7) and the [[East Tamar Highway]] (state route A8). The bridge overlooks the [[Deviot Sailing Club]] and is named in honour of [[John Batman]], a [[Launceston, Tasmania|Launceston]] businessman and co-founder of [[Melbourne]].
==Design features== Built between 1966 and 1968, it was the first [[cable-stayed bridge]] in Australia. The main span is {{convert|206|m|ft|0}} long, suspended from a {{convert|91|m|ft|0|adj=mid|-high}} steel [[A-frame]] tower. The deck is {{convert|10.3|m|ft|0}} wide. The tower is on the west bank of the Tamar river, on a solid [[Diabase|dolerite]] rock base which carries 78% of the weight of the main span. The length of the bridge is {{convert|432|m|ft|0}} between abutments.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qvmag.tas.gov.au/downloads/geology/batmanbridge.html |title=A-frame |author=Douglas Ewington |date=23 October 2008 |publisher=[[QVMAG]] |accessdate=24 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090523134509/http://www.qvmag.tas.gov.au/downloads/geology/batmanbridge.html |archivedate=23 May 2009 }}</ref> 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 {{convert|18|m|ft|0}} into the clay. The bridge deck is constructed of steel.
==Gallery== <gallery> Batman Bridge, off Tamar Hwy, Tasmania.JPG|Batman Bridge, off Tamar Highway Batman_Bridge.jpg|View of the bridge from the [[Tamar River]] Tamar river batman bridge.JPG|Tamar river batman bridge </gallery>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20051207065532/http://www.tco.asn.au/uploaded/48/176131_19batman4.jpg Side view of Batman Bridge shows slanted A-frame support tower.] * {{cite web |url=http://www.transtasmanbridges.com/cablestayed/batman.html |archivedate=6 July 2004 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040706145302/http://www.transtasmanbridges.com/cablestayed/batman.html |title=Batman Bridge background}} * {{Structurae|id=20000885|title=Batman Bridge}}
{{Road infrastructure in Tasmania}}
[[Category:Cable-stayed bridges in Australia]] [[Category:Road bridges in Tasmania]] [[Category:Bridges completed in 1968]] [[Category:Tamar River]] [[Category:1968 establishments in Australia]]