Hexham Bridge, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hexham Bridge |
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First bridge in April 1957
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| Coordinates | 32°49′24″S 151°41′08″E / 32.8232°S 151.6855°E |
| Carries | Pacific Highway |
| Crosses | Hunter River |
| Locale | Tarro, New South Wales |
| Owner | Transport for NSW |
| Followed by | Stockton Bridge |
| History | |
| Opened | 17 December 1952 July 1987 (duplicated) |
The Hexham Bridge is actually a pair of important road bridges in New South Wales, Australia. They help the Pacific Highway cross the wide Hunter River. These bridges connect the towns of Tarro and Tomago in the Hunter Region. One bridge is made of steel and opened in 1952, and the other is a concrete bridge that opened later in 1987.
Contents
Building the Hexham Bridge
Before the Bridges Were Built
Before the Hexham Bridges existed, cars and trucks crossing the Hunter River on the Pacific Highway had to use a special boat called a car ferry. This ferry would carry vehicles from one side of the river to the other. It was operated by the Department of Main Roads.
The First Bridge: A Steel Giant
In November 1945, plans were made to build the first bridge. It was designed to be a strong steel truss bridge with a special section that could lift up. This lifting part would let tall boats pass underneath. However, building the bridge took longer than expected. There was a shortage of materials after World War II, which made construction difficult. Finally, the first Hexham Bridge was finished and opened in December 1952.
Adding a Second Bridge
As more cars used the highway, one bridge wasn't enough. So, in July 1987, a second bridge was opened next to the first one. This new bridge was made of concrete and was built to carry traffic heading north. The original steel bridge was then changed to carry only southbound traffic. This way, both bridges work together to keep traffic flowing smoothly across the Hunter River.
