The Entrance Bridge

The Entrance Bridge is a road bridge that carries the Central Coast Highway (A49) across the Tuggerah Lakes Entrance Channel and joins the towns of The Entrance and The Entrance North, located on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia. The 18-span, 467-metre long (1,532 ft)[2] concrete girder bridge carries road traffic, as well as a grade-separated pedestrian footpath and cycleway,[1] across Wilfred Barret Drive as part of the Central Coast Highway.

The Entrance Bridge
The 1968 Entrance Bridge
Location in New South Wales
Coordinates33°20′15″S 151°30′02″E
CarriesCentral Coast Highway / Wilfred Barret Drive
CrossesTuggerah Lakes
LocaleThe Entrance, Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Named forThe Entrance Channel
Maintained byRoads & Maritime Services
Characteristics
DesignGirder bridge
MaterialConcrete
Total length467 metres (1,532 ft)
No. of spans18
History
Construction start17 July 1967 (1967-07-17)
Opened20 December 1968 (1968-12-20)
Inaugurated14 April 1969 (1969-04-14) by the Hon. Robert Askin, NSW Premier
ReplacesEntrance Bridge (1934-c. 1968)
References
[1][2]

The bridge is maintained by Roads & Maritime Services,[2] an agency of the Government of New South Wales.

History

Opened in 1934, the inaugural Entrance Bridge was originally a wooden single lane bridge with bypass bays at intervals that allowed traffic travelling in the opposite direction to pass. The original bridge was adequate until 1965 as it only served traffic travelling as far as The Entrance North.[3]

Around 1955, the Number 11 bus operated by Red Bus Services crashed through a wooden retaining wall and landed in The Entrance Channel after its brakes failed while turning onto The Entrance Bridge. The driver and three passengers were uninjured, although the boat that the bus landed on was heavily damaged.[4]:129

In 1965, Wilfred Barret Drive was opened by the Deputy Premier, the Hon. Pat Hills. The road was named after Councillor Wilfred Barret who was a member of the first Wyong Shire Council. The road continues to be an important link between The Entrance and Toukley, passing through Wyrrabalong National Park.[4]:113

By the end of 1965 the bridge was dangerous and too costly to maintain. The traffic flow over the old bridge at The Entrance increased to such an extent the structure was under constant repair. Work began on the current two lane, concrete structure on 17 July 1967 after a successful tender by Transbridge Pty Ltd. The bridge was opened to traffic on 20 December 1968 and officially opened by the NSW Premier, the Hon. Robert Askin on 18 April 1969.[4]:113–114

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See also

References
  1. "Tuggerah Lakes cycleway". The Entrance Town Centre Management. 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  2. "The Entrance Bridge maintenance, Community update" (PDF). Roads & Maritime Services. Government of New South Wales. January 2014. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  3. "Crossing Tuggerah Lake: The Bridge". theentrancetcm.com.au. Retrieved 2 July 2006.
  4. History of Wyong Shire: 1947-1997.
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