Stockton Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stockton Bridge |
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The Stockton Bridge as seen from approximately
1 km (0.6 mi) away in the suburb of Stockton |
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| Coordinates | 32°53′4.6″S 151°47′14.03″E / 32.884611°S 151.7872306°E |
| Carries |
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| Crosses | Hunter River |
| Locale | Stockton, New South Wales, Australia |
| Named for | Suburb of Stockton |
| Owner | Transport for New South Wales |
| Maintained by | Newcastle City Council |
| Preceded by | Hexham Bridge |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Concrete arch bridge |
| Material | Concrete and steel |
| Pier construction | Concrete and steel |
| Total length | 1,024 m (3,360 ft) |
| Height | 52 m (171 ft) (highest point) |
| Number of spans | 23 |
| Piers in water | 6 |
| Clearance below | 30 metres (98 ft) |
| History | |
| Constructed by | NSW Department of Main Roads |
| Construction begin | 1968 |
| Construction cost | A$6.5 million |
| Opened | 1 November 1971 |
| Inaugurated | 1 November 1971 by Robert Askin, NSW Premier |
| Replaces | Car ferry service |
The Stockton Bridge is a road bridge in New South Wales, Australia. It crosses the Hunter River. The bridge connects the areas of Kooragang and Stockton. It is an important route for cars, bikes, and people walking. It helps connect Newcastle to the beautiful Port Stephens area.
Building the Stockton Bridge
Before the bridge was built, people used a special boat called a car ferry. This ferry carried cars and people across the river between Newcastle and Stockton.
In 1955, a group was formed to find a better way to cross the Hunter River. They looked at many ideas, like building a bridge or even an underwater tunnel. But these ideas were not possible at the time.
A big project called the Kooragang Island reclamation project helped find a solution. This project created new land. In 1968, work finally began on the Stockton Bridge.
Bridge Design
Engineers decided to build a concrete arch bridge. It has 23 sections, called spans. The bridge was designed to have four lanes for cars. It also has a special path in the middle for bikes and people walking.
The bridge needed to be high enough for ships to pass underneath. It has a clearance of 30 metres (about 98 feet) over the shipping lane.
Opening Day
The Stockton Bridge officially opened on 1 November 1971. The Premier of New South Wales, Robert Askin, opened the bridge.
When it opened, the Stockton Bridge was very long. It measured 1,024 metres (about 3,359 feet). This made it the longest bridge ever built by the Department of Main Roads. It was also the second longest bridge in New South Wales, after the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge.
