Stockton Bridge - Hunter bridges
Project overview
The NSW Government invested $17 million to build a new bridge on Thunderbolts Way over the Barrington River to improve safety and reliability for motorists, including freight. Transport for NSW is carrying out essential maintenance work on the historic Brig O’Johnston Bridge over the Williams River at Clarence Town in preparation for future rehabilitation work. The southbound Hexham Bridge is a landmark in the surrounding area and acts as a gateway to the suburbs of Hexham and Tomago. The bridge crosses the Hunter River carrying two lanes of southbound traffic on the Pacific Highway and provides access for marine traffic. The New South Wales Government is funding a major project to repaint Martin Bridge. Transport for NSW is carrying out major maintenance work on Morpeth Bridge at Morpeth which includes replacing truss elements on the bridge. The NSW Government provides funding for biannual essential maintenance work to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the bridge. Transport for NSW has completed major essential maintenance work to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the bridge. The NSW Government is investing in essential maintenance to maintain the structural integrity of Dawson River Bridge and to reduce future maintenance costs. Roads and Maritime Services manages 847 bridges in the Hunter Region including two opening bridges at Swansea and Hexham.
Latest news
AUG 2022Night work on Stockton Bridge from Sunday 7 August
Transport for NSW be completing essential maintenance on Stockton Bridge from Sunday 7 August until early October, weather permitting.
To minimise the impact on motorists, work will be carried out at night between 7pm and 5am from Sunday to Thursday.
Traffic will be diverted to one side of the bridge with a single lane of traffic operating in each direction. Traffic control and a reduced speed limit of 40km/h will be in place during night work for the safety of workers and motorists.
OSOM vehicles are advised to plan ahead and contact the Project Manager prior to travel to arrange traffic control.
Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions, and follow the directions of signs and traffic control.
Project information
Stockton Bridge is located on Nelson Bay Road, over the Hunter River in the Newcastle local government area (LGA) and Newcastle electorate.
Stockton Bridge is a four lane, 23 span concrete arch bridge which provides a vital link over the Hunter River. The 1,024 metre bridge is the main transport route between Newcastle and the Tilligery and Tomaree peninsulas in Port Stephens. More than 19,000 vehicles travel across the bridge each day and 5 per cent of these vehicles are heavy vehicles.
Monday 1 November 2021 marks 50 years since Stockton Bridge opened to traffic.
Prior to its construction, a vehicular ferry service operated between Newcastle and Stockton. Construction started on the bridge in 1968 to meet increased traffic from rapid urban, industrial and tourist development in Newcastle and Port Stephens.
The bridge was designed by the Department of Main Roads and has a 30 metre clearance for shipping and a central footway. 23,000 cubic yards of concrete together with 600 tonnes of high tensile steel and 2,500 tonnes of steel reinforcement were used to construct the bridge, at a cost of $6.5 million.
The bridge was officially opened to traffic on 1 November 1971, and at the time was the longest bridge to be built by the Department of Main Roads and the second longest bridge in NSW after the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Project documents
Community updates
| File | Title | Size |
|---|---|---|
| October 2020 project notification Start of essential maintenance work on Stockton Bridge from Monday 16 November 2020 | 282Kb |
Media releases
| File | Title | Size |
|---|---|---|
| 12 August 2021 Stockton Bridge major works complete | 24.4Kb | |
| 7 April 2021 Top notch work on Stockton Bridge | 24.9Kb |