Stockton Bridge
{{Distinguish|Centre Bridge–Stockton Bridge}}
{{Use Australian English|date=April 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox bridge
|name = Stockton Bridge
|image = Stockton Bridge from Stockton.jpg
|image_upright = 1.3
|caption = Stockton Bridge from Stockton
|coordinates = {{Coord|32|53|4.6|S|151|47|14.03|E|type:landmark_region:AU-NSW|display=it}}
|carries = Nelson Bay Road
|crosses = Hunter River
|locale = New South Wales, Australia
|starts = Stockton
|ends = Kooragang
|named_for = Stockton
|owner = Transport for NSW
|maint = Newcastle City Council
|preceded = Hexham Bridge
|design = Concrete arch bridge
|material = Concrete and steel
|material2 = Concrete and steel
|length = {{convert|1024|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
|width =
|height = {{convert|52|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} (highest point)
|number_spans = 23
|piers_in_water = 6
|load =
|clearance_below = {{convert|30|m|ft|0}}
|lanes = 4
|architect =
|designer =
|contracted_designer =
|engineering =
|builder = Department of Main Roads
|fabricator =
|begin = 1968
|complete =
|cost = $6.5 million
|open = {{start date|1971|11|1|df=y}}
|replaces = Car ferry service
|traffic = }}
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.Graceful Lightness crosses the water Newcastle Herald 21 June 2012 page 26[https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/4192232/cross-the-water/ Memories of life of the water] Newcastle Herald 30 September 2016
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.
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 {{convert|30|m|ft|0|adj=on}} clearance over the shipping lane.{{cite book|title=Bridges & Ferries of Australia|last=Phillps|first=Valmai|publisher=Bay Books|year=1983|isbn=9780858355682|location=Sydney|page=22}}
The Stockton Bridge was officially opened by Premier Robert Askin on 1 November 1971.Closure of Newcastle - Stockton Vehicular Ferries Railway Digest November 1971 page 4Stockton Bridge Construction Completed Main Roads March 1972 pages 66-69[https://web.archive.org/web/20160318103950/http://maritimecentrenewcastle.org.au/punt-timeline Vehicular Ferry Timeline] Newcastle Maritime Museum At {{convert|1024|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}, 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.Stockton Bridge Opens Newcastle Herald 2 November 1971 page 1
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category-inline}}
- {{cite AV media |work=Roads & Maritime Services |date=1971 |title=Stockton Bridge |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZ430DXMmOk |format=streaming video |publisher=YouTube }}
{{City of Newcastle suburbs}}
{{Hunter Region places and items of interest}}
{{Road infrastructure in regional New South Wales|state=collapsed}}
Category:Arch bridges in Australia
Category:Bridges completed in 1971
Category:Concrete bridges in Australia
Category:Hunter River (New South Wales)
Category:Road bridges in New South Wales