The bridge was named after long-serving local politician Neville Hewitt who served as the Minister for Lands, Forestry and Water Resources.

[3][4] The Neville Hewitt Bridge currently carries the Bruce Highway across the Fitzroy River, connecting Albert Street in Rockhampton City with Moore's Creek Road in Park Avenue.

[5] However, the Bruce Highway will be diverted upon the completion of the Rockhampton Ring Road, when a new bridge will open upstream to allow vehicles to bypass the city.

[6] There have long been calls from the local community for an additional bridge to be constructed across the Fitzroy River at Rockhampton to ease traffic congestion.

[7][8][9] Significant disruption to the city's traffic network has previously occurred when the Neville Hewitt Bridge has been blocked by various accidents.