Sea Cliff Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sea Cliff Bridge |
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The Sea Cliff Bridge viewed from the air
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| Coordinates | 34°15′14″S 150°58′26″E / 34.25389°S 150.97389°E |
| Carries | Lawrence Hargrave Drive (also known as Grand Pacific Drive) |
| Crosses | Rockface on the Illawarra escarpment/Tasman Sea |
| Locale | Coalcliff, Illawarra, New South Wales, Australia |
| Other name(s) | Lawrence Hargrave Drive Bridge |
| Owner | Transport for New South Wales |
| Characteristics | |
| Design |
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| Material | Steel reinforced concrete |
| Total length |
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| Width | 6.3 metres (21 ft) at its widest point |
| Height | 41 metres (135 ft) at highest point |
| Longest span |
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| Number of spans |
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| History | |
| Contracted lead designer | Maunsell Australia |
| Engineering design by | Coffey Geosciences |
| Constructed by | Barclay Mowlem Construction |
| Construction end | 9 December 2005 |
| Construction cost | A$52 million |
| Inaugurated | 11 December 2005 by Morris Iemma, NSW Premier |
The Sea Cliff Bridge and the Lawrence Hargrave Drive Bridge are two amazing road bridges in New South Wales, Australia. They carry the beautiful Lawrence Hargrave Drive along the rocky coast. These bridges connect the small towns of Coalcliff and Clifton. They have two lanes for cars and a special path for people walking or riding bikes. The Sea Cliff Bridge is very special because it's one of only seven bridges in the world built off-shore and parallel to the coast!
The Sea Cliff Bridge got its name from Makenzie Russell. She was an eleven-year-old student who won a naming competition for local kids. The Lawrence Hargrave Drive Bridge and the road itself are named after Lawrence Hargrave. He was a famous Australian inventor and pioneer in flying.
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Why Was the Sea Cliff Bridge Built?
The Sea Cliff Bridge was built because the old road, Lawrence Hargrave Drive, had to close. This happened in August 2003 because rocks kept falling onto the road. People were very upset about the closure. This road was the only direct way to get from towns like Coalcliff and Stanwell Park to the northern parts of Wollongong. The new bridges solved this big problem.
How Was the Sea Cliff Bridge Designed?
The Sea Cliff Bridge project cost about 52 million Australian dollars. The main Sea Cliff Bridge is about 450 meters (1,476 feet) long. It was built using a special method that makes it very strong. It has five main sections, called spans.
Right next to it is the Lawrence Hargrave Drive Bridge, which is about 210 meters (689 feet) long. People often think of them as one big bridge. This bridge was built using a different method where sections are pushed into place. It has seven spans, each between 24 and 31 meters (79 to 102 feet) long. Both bridges share one support pillar.
The bridges have two traffic lanes, each about 3.5 to 3.8 meters (11 to 12 feet) wide. There's also a 2.5-meter (8.2 feet) wide path for pedestrians.
The bridges were officially opened on December 11, 2005, by Morris Iemma. He was the Premier of New South Wales at the time. Everyone loved the new bridges, and they helped bring more tourists to the area.
Keeping the Bridge Strong
The bridges are built in a tough environment. They face the open ocean, and big waves often splash against them. This means the concrete and steel parts of the bridge need special care. Saltwater can cause the steel inside the concrete to rust. This could make the bridge weaker over time. Engineers work hard to protect the bridge and keep it safe for everyone.
Visiting the Sea Cliff Bridge
The bridges are a popular tourist spot, especially since they opened in 2005. They are about an hour's drive south of Sydney. Near the bridges, there's a beautiful walkway along the rocky cliffs. It's a famous place where people attach "love padlocks" to show their affection.
The bridges became even more popular in the late 2010s. This was thanks to social media and online bushwalking guides. These guides encouraged people to visit and see the amazing views.
The Sea Cliff Bridge in Pop Culture
The Sea Cliff Bridge and the Lawrence Hargrave Drive Bridge have been featured in many different types of media:
- They appeared in a TV advertisement for Ferrari and Shell in 2007. This ad was shown in Australia and many other countries.
- They were also seen in a commercial for the VE Holden Commodore car.
- In the video game Forza Horizon 3, players can race their cars over the bridge.
- The bridges were featured in Guy Sebastian's music video for his song 'Choir'. He is shown walking underneath the Sea Cliff Bridge.
Gallery
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Sea Cliff Bridge looking south
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The footpath on Sea Cliff Bridge
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A photo taken from road level
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Looking down onto Sea Cliff Bridge from the south
