Tea Gardens-Hawks Nest Bridge
Coordinates32°40′09″S 152°10′06″E / 32.669202°S 152.168262°E / -32.669202; 152.168262
CarriesMyall Street
CrossesMyall River
BeginsTea Gardens
EndsHawks Nest
Other name(s)Singing Bridge
Named forTea Gardens, Hawks Nest
OwnerTransport for NSW
Characteristics
DesignBox girder
MaterialPrestressed & reinforced concrete
Total length304.3 metres (998 ft)
Width10.3 metres (34 ft)
Longest span35.3 metres (116 ft)
No. of spans5
Piers in water8
Clearance below10.6 metres (35 ft) (high water level)
No. of lanes2
History
Opened6 April 1974
ReplacesFerry service
Location

The Tea Gardens-Hawks Nest Bridge is a road bridge that carries Myall Street across the Myall River, connecting the towns of Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia.

The concrete box girder bridge is commonly known as the Singing Bridge, derived from the musical sounds its railings generate during strong winds acting as a wind harp.[1]

History

About 1928, a ferry service started carrying passengers between the two townships across the Myall River. Later, cars were added, resulting in peak queues during holiday periods of up to six hours.[1] The Tea Gardens-Hawks Nest Bridge was completed and opened by the New South Wales Minister for Public Works on 6 April 1974.[2]:8 In response to this demand a A$1.2 million bridge was placed immediately downstream, eliminating the ferry service.[1]

Description

The bridge is of girder construction, made of both prestressed and reinforced concrete. It is 304.3 metres (998 ft) long, with seven 35.3-metre (116 ft) and two 28.3-metre (93 ft) spans. It carries a two-lane road 7.3 metres (24 ft) wide and two pedestrian walkways 1.5 metres (5 ft) wide.[2]:33 Clearance is 10.6 m (34.8 ft) at high water.[3]

The Jean Shaw Koala Reserve is located at its northeastern end, part of a wildlife corridor to the Myall Lakes. Koalas have been known to cross the bridge at night.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Engel, Brian A.; Winn, Janis; Wark, John (March 2001). "Tea Gardens Walk". Brian A. Engel. p. 6. Retrieved 15 March 2009.
  2. 1 2 "Annual Report 1973-74" (PDF). NSW Department of Public Works. 1975. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 October 2009. Retrieved 15 March 2009.
  3. "Myall River Map" (PDF). New South Wales Maritime. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
  4. "Hawks Nest and Tea Gardens Endangered Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) Population" (PDF). Approved NSW Recovery Plan. Office of Environment & Heritage. July 2003. p. 9. Retrieved 15 March 2009.
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