Sheahan Bridge
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox bridge
|bridge_name = Sheahan Bridge
|image = Aerial view of Sheahan Bridge.jpg
|caption = Aerial view of Sheahan Bridge in May 2021, with the original bridge furthest from the camera
|coordinates = {{coord|35|4|21.66020|S|148|5|41.34451|E|region:AU-NSW_type:landmark|display=title;inline}}
|carries = Hume Highway
|crosses = Murrumbidgee River
|number_spans = 27
|lanes = 4
|locale = Gundagai, New South Wales
|named_for = Bill Sheahan
|owner = Transport for NSW
|material = Steel, Concrete
|length = {{convert|1.14|km}} (northbound bridge)
{{convert|1.15|km}} (southbound bridge)
|builder = Transbridge (northbound bridge)
Fulton Hogan (southbound bridge)
|open = {{start date|1977|03|25|df=y}} (northbound bridge)
{{start date|2009|05|25|df=y}} (southbound bridge)
|mapframe-zoom = 14}}
Sheahan Bridge is a dual carriageway bridge over the Murrumbidgee River on the Hume Highway in Gundagai, New South Wales. It is the third longest bridge in New South Wales after the Macleay Valley Bridge and Sydney Harbour Bridge, which at {{Convert|1.149|km|mi|abbr=on}} is only slightly longer than the Sheahan Bridge's {{Convert|1.141|km|mi|abbr=on}}.
History
The now northbound bridge was built by Transbridge in 1977 to replace the Prince Alfred Bridge over the Murrumbidgee River and as part of a {{Convert|7.4|km|mi|abbr=on}} deviation of the Hume Highway built to bypass Gundagai.New bridges to help traffic flow on the Hume Highway Truck & Bus Transportation May 1977 page 163 It was constructed using steel-box girder with a single lane of traffic in each direction.{{Cite web|title=Sheahan Bridge duplication|url=https://roads-waterways.transport.nsw.gov.au/about/environment/protecting-heritage/hume-highway-duplication/history/sheahan-bridge.html|access-date=2021-05-21|website=Transport for NSW}}{{Cite book|url=https://roads-waterways.transport.nsw.gov.au/documents/about/environment/protecting-heritage/hume-highway-duplication/history-begins-with-a-road.pdf|title=The Old Hume Highway History begins with a road|publisher=Roads & Maritime Services|year=2018}}{{Cite web|last=Mason|first=Edwina|date=2021-05-28|title=Gundagai's heritage bridge survives troubled waters, only to be toppled by a truck|url=https://aboutregional.com.au/gundagais-heritage-bridge-survives-troubled-waters-only-to-be-toppled-by-a-truck|access-date=2021-06-01|website=About Regional|language=en}} It was officially opened to traffic by the Premier of New South Wales, Neville Wran on 25 March 1977.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110730324 |title=Wran opens new Gundagai bridge |newspaper=The Canberra Times |volume=51 |issue=14,644 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=26 March 1977 |accessdate=22 May 2021 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{Cite web | title=Sheahan Bridge over the Murrumbidgee River on the Hume Highway at Gundagai : official opening by The Hon. N.K. Wran, Q.C., M.L.A., Premier of New South Wales, at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, 25th March, 1977 | publication-date=1977 | publisher=Department of Main Roads | url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/94296869}} The bridge was named after local politician Bill Sheahan, who had held the seat of Burrinjuck in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly. It has three spans over the main river channel and a further 24 south of the river, forming a viaduct over its flood-plain. At the time of completion, it was the second longest bridge in New South Wales and the longest bridge built by the Department of Main Roads.Sheahan Bridge Gundagi Construction Completed Main Roads June 1977 pages 117-120
The bridge was duplicated with a new bridge built immediately to the east of the existing structure by Fulton Hogan in 2008/09.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article259373803 |title=Looks deceive |newspaper=Air Force News |volume=51 |issue=5 |date=2 April 2009 |accessdate=22 May 2021 |page=16 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite web|title=Sheahan Bridge |work=Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government |publisher=Nation Building program |url=http://www.nationbuildingprogram.gov.au/projects/natnet/NSW/NSWUA002.aspx |accessdate=29 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091024083233/http://www.nationbuildingprogram.gov.au/projects/natnet/NSW/NSWUA002.aspx |archivedate=24 October 2009}}{{cite book|title=Annual Report|date=30 June 2010|publisher=Roads & Traffic Authority|page=25}} The new bridge was officially opened to traffic by Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese on 25 May 2009.{{Cite web|last=Webster|first=Michelle|date=25 May 2009|title=All systems go for bridge|url=https://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/story/728035/all-systems-go-for-bridge/|access-date=2021-05-21|website=The Daily Advertiser|language=en-AU}} Duplication of the bridge had been planned since 1995.{{Cite book|url=https://www.opengov.nsw.gov.au/publications/17421|title=Sheahan's Bridge duplication and associated road works: Gundagai NSW : review of environmental factors|work=R.A. Young & Associates|publisher=Roads & Traffic Authority|year=1995}} It initially carried traffic in both directions while the 1977 built bridge was refurbished. From December 2009, it carried southbound traffic only.
Prior to 2021, Higher Productivity Vehicles had been unable to use the northbound bridge, due to the low design standards. Since March 2021, Higher Productivity Vehicles have been allowed to use the northbound bridge under permit.{{Cite web |date=21 May 2021 |title=TfNSW prepares for action on Sheahan Bridge |url=https://www.fullyloaded.com.au/industry-news/2105/tfnsw-prepares-for-action-on-sheahan-bridge |access-date=2021-05-22 |website=Australasian Transport News}}
{{Clear}}
See also
{{stack|{{Portal|Transport|Engineering|Australian roads|New South Wales}}}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category-inline}}
{{Road infrastructure in regional New South Wales}}
Category:Box girder bridges in Australia
Category:Bridges completed in 1977
Category:Bridges completed in 2009