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Stockton Bridge

Not to be confused with Centre Bridge–Stockton Bridge.

Stockton Bridge
Stockton Bridge from Stockton
Coordinates32°53′4.6″S 151°47′14.03″E / 32.884611°S 151.7872306°E / -32.884611; 151.7872306
CarriesNelson Bay Road
CrossesHunter River
LocaleNew South Wales, Australia
BeginsStockton
EndsKooragang
Named forStockton
OwnerTransport for NSW
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 byDepartment of Main Roads
Construction start1968
Construction cost$6.5 million
Opened1 November 1971 (1971-11-01)
ReplacesCar ferry service
Location
Map

The Stockton Bridge is a road bridge that carries Nelson Bay Road 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.

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 February 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][5][6] 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][7]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Graceful Lightness crosses the water Newcastle Herald 21 June 2012 page 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. ^ Closure of Newcastle - Stockton Vehicular Ferries Railway Digest November 1971 page 4
  5. ^ Stockton Bridge Construction Completed Main Roads March 1972 pages 66-69
  6. ^ Vehicular Ferry Timeline Newcastle Maritime Museum
  7. ^ Stockton Bridge Opens Newcastle Herald 2 November 1971 page 1

Media related to Stockton Bridge at Wikimedia Commons

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