Stockton Bridge

The Stockton Bridge is a road bridge that carries the Nelson Bay Road (B83) across the Hunter River, between Kooragang and Stockton in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. The bridge and Nelson Bay Road serve as the main transport route between Newcastle and the Tilligerry and Tomaree peninsulas in Port Stephens. The bridge carries motor vehicles and a central grade-separated shared cycleway and footpath.

Stockton Bridge
The Stockton Bridge as seen from approximately
1 km (0.6 mi) away in the suburb of Stockton
Coordinates32°53′4.6″S 151°47′14.03″E
Carries
  • Motor vehicles
  • Bicycles
CrossesHunter River
LocaleStockton, New South Wales, Australia
BeginsStockton
EndsKooragang
Named forSuburb of Stockton
OwnerTransport for New South Wales
Maintained byNewcastle City Council
Preceded byHexham Bridge
Characteristics
DesignConcrete arch bridge
MaterialConcrete and steel
Pier constructionConcrete and steel
Total length1,024 m (3,360 ft)
Height52 m (171 ft) (highest point)
No. of spans23
Piers in water6
Clearance below30 metres (98 ft)
No. of lanes4
History
Constructed byNSW Department of Main Roads
Construction start1968 (1968)
Construction costA$6.5 million
Opened1 November 1971 (1971-11-01)
Inaugurated1 November 1971 (1971-11-01) by
Robert Askin, NSW Premier
ReplacesCar ferry service
Location

History

Prior to the construction of the bridge, the Department of Main Roads operated a car ferry service between Wharf Road in Newcastle and Stockton.[1][2]

In May 1955, the Newcastle Harbour Crossing Committee was formed by the Newcastle City Council to investigate options to cross the Hunter River. Options investigated included bridges from Hunter Street and Nobbys Head to Stockton and an underwater tunnel. All were rejected as not feasible.[1]

The Kooragang Island reclamation project provided an answer. An initial plan to build a bridge from North Carrington to Stockton was rejected as it would interfere with shipping. The Tourle Street bridge opened in early 1965 from Mayfield to Kooragang Island, but it would not be until 1968 that construction commenced on the Stockton Bridge. A two lane vertical-lift bridge was proposed before it was decided to build a four lane, 23-span concrete arch bridge with a 30-metre (98 ft) clearance over the shipping lane.[1][3]

The Stockton Bridge was officially opened by Premier Robert Askin on 1 November 1971.[4] At 1,024 m (3,360 ft), at the time of its opening, it was the longest bridge to have been built by the Department of Main Roads and the second longest bridge in New South Wales after the Sydney Harbour Bridge.[1][5]

See also

References

  1. "Graceful Lightness crosses the water". Newcastle Herald. 21 June 2012. p. 26.
  2. "Memories of life of the water". Newcastle Herald. 30 September 2016.
  3. Phillps, Valmai (1983). Bridges & Ferries of Australia. Sydney: Bay Books. p. 22. ISBN 9780858355682.
  4. "Vehicular Ferry Timeline". Newcastle Maritime Museum. Archived from the original on 18 March 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  5. "Stockton Bridge Opens". Newcastle Herald. 2 November 1971. p. 1.


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