Sheahan Bridge
Aerial view of Sheahan Bridge in May 2021, with the original bridge furthest from the camera
Coordinates35°4′21.66020″S 148°5′41.34451″E / 35.0726833889°S 148.0948179194°E / -35.0726833889; 148.0948179194
CarriesHume Highway
CrossesMurrumbidgee River
LocaleGundagai, New South Wales
Named forBill Sheahan
OwnerTransport for NSW
Characteristics
MaterialSteel, Concrete
Total length1.14 kilometres (0.71 mi) (northbound bridge)
1.15 kilometres (0.71 mi) (southbound bridge)
No. of spans27
No. of lanes4
History
Constructed byTransbridge (northbound bridge)
Fulton Hogan (southbound bridge)
Opened25 March 1977 (1977-03-25) (northbound bridge)
25 May 2009 (2009-05-25) (southbound bridge)
Location
Map

Sheahan Bridge is a dual carriageway bridge over the Murrumbidgee River on the Hume Highway in Gundagai, New South Wales. It is the third longest bridge in New South Wales after the Macleay Valley Bridge and Sydney Harbour Bridge, which at 1.149 km (0.714 mi) is only slightly longer than the Sheahan Bridge's 1.141 km (0.709 mi).[1]

History

Northbound bridge

Sheahan Bridge was built by Transbridge in 1977 to replace the Prince Alfred Bridge over the Murrumbidgee River and as part of a 7.4 km (4.6 mi) deviation of the Hume Highway built to bypass Gundagai.[2] It was constructed using steel-box girder with a single lane of traffic in each direction.[3][4][5] It was officially opened to traffic by the Premier of New South Wales, Neville Wran on 25 March 1977.[1][6]

The bridge was named after local politician Bill Sheahan, who had held the seat of Burrinjuck in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly.[1] It has three spans over the main river channel and a further 24 south of the river, forming a viaduct over its flood-plain.[1] At the time of completion, it was the second longest bridge in New South Wales and the longest bridge built by the Department of Main Roads.[4][7]

Originally having one lane in each direction, since the opening of a parallel second bridge in 2009, it has carried northbound traffic in both lanes. Prior to 2021, Higher Productivity Vehicles had been unable to use the bridge, due to the design capabilities and the standards used in 1977. Since March 2021, Higher Productivity Vehicles have been allowed to use the northbound bridge under permit.[8]

Southbound bridge

The bridge was duplicated with a new bridge built immediately to the east of the existing structure by Fulton Hogan in 2008/09.[9][10][11] The new bridge was officially opened to traffic by Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese on 25 May 2009.[12][3] Duplication of the bridge had been planned since 1995.[13] It initially carried traffic in both directions while the 1977 built bridge was refurbished. From December 2009, it carried southbound traffic only.[11]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Wran opens new Gundagai bridge". The Canberra Times. Vol. 51, no. 14, 644. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 26 March 1977. p. 3. Retrieved 22 May 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ New bridges to help traffic flow on the Hume Highway Truck & Bus Transportation May 1977 page 163
  3. ^ a b "Sheahan Bridge duplication". Transport for NSW. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  4. ^ a b The Old Hume Highway History begins with a road (PDF). Roads & Maritime Services. 2018.
  5. ^ Mason, Edwina (28 May 2021). "Gundagai's heritage bridge survives troubled waters, only to be toppled by a truck". About Regional. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  6. ^ "Sheahan Bridge over the Murrumbidgee River on the Hume Highway at Gundagai : official opening by The Hon. N.K. Wran, Q.C., M.L.A., Premier of New South Wales, at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, 25th March, 1977". Department of Main Roads. 1977.
  7. ^ Sheahan Bridge Gundagi Construction Completed Main Roads June 1977 pages 117-120
  8. ^ "TfNSW prepares for action on Sheahan Bridge". Australasian Transport News. 21 May 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  9. ^ "Looks deceive". Air Force News. Vol. 51, no. 5. 2 April 2009. p. 16. Retrieved 22 May 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ^ "Sheahan Bridge". Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. Nation Building program. Archived from the original on 24 October 2009. Retrieved 29 June 2009.
  11. ^ a b Annual Report. Roads & Traffic Authority. 30 June 2010. p. 25.
  12. ^ Webster, Michelle (25 May 2009). "All systems go for bridge". The Daily Advertiser. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  13. ^ Sheahan's Bridge duplication and associated road works: Gundagai NSW : review of environmental factors. Roads & Traffic Authority. 1995. ((cite book)): |work= ignored (help)

External links

Media related to Sheahan Bridge at Wikimedia Commons

Road infrastructure in regional New South Wales
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