Mooney Mooney Bridge: Difference between revisions
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==Incidents== |
==Incidents== |
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The Mooney Mooney Bridge has been the site of several [[car accident|accidents]], resulting in the Pacific Motorway being closed to traffic and causing delays. Some of these accidents have prompted debate on whether a new road should be built to supplement the existing freeway.<ref name="ccexbndv">{{cite web |
The Mooney Mooney Bridge has been the site of several [[car accident|accidents]], resulting in the Pacific Motorway being closed to traffic and causing delays. Some of these accidents have prompted debate on whether a new road should be built to supplement the existing freeway.<ref name="ccexbndv">{{cite web|title=expressadvocate.com.au |work=Central Coast Express Advocate – Breaking News: Double Vision |url=http://www.expressadvocate.com.au/article/2007/01/25/2738_news.html |accessdate=13 February 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20070928080319/http://www.expressadvocate.com.au/article/2007/01/25/2738_news.html |archivedate=28 September 2007 }}</ref> |
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On 23 October 2004 a [[semi-trailer]]'s [[brake]]s failed coming down the Freeway and caused a pile-up involving 35 vehicles that had slowed down as a result of a car accident on the other side of the bridge. This accident resulted in the death of a woman.<ref name="smhf3rafc">{{cite news | title= Sydney Morning Herald: F3 reopens after fatal smash | url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/10/23/1098474908951.html?from=storylhs | accessdate=13 February 2007 | date=23 October 2004 | work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> On 12 February 2007 another accident occurred when a truck was travelling down the freeway and lost control approaching the bridge, smashing through a [[guard rail]] and plunging 30 metres down an [[slope|embankment]] at the side of the bridge.<ref name="nswpolmitcmmb">{{cite news | title=police.nsw.gov.au | work=New South Wales Police Online – Latest Media Information: Truck Crash – Mooney Mooney Bridge | url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/10/23/1098474908951.html?from=storylhs | accessdate=13 February 2007 | date=23 October 2004}}</ref> |
On 23 October 2004 a [[semi-trailer]]'s [[brake]]s failed coming down the Freeway and caused a pile-up involving 35 vehicles that had slowed down as a result of a car accident on the other side of the bridge. This accident resulted in the death of a woman.<ref name="smhf3rafc">{{cite news | title= Sydney Morning Herald: F3 reopens after fatal smash | url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/10/23/1098474908951.html?from=storylhs | accessdate=13 February 2007 | date=23 October 2004 | work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> On 12 February 2007 another accident occurred when a truck was travelling down the freeway and lost control approaching the bridge, smashing through a [[guard rail]] and plunging 30 metres down an [[slope|embankment]] at the side of the bridge.<ref name="nswpolmitcmmb">{{cite news | title=police.nsw.gov.au | work=New South Wales Police Online – Latest Media Information: Truck Crash – Mooney Mooney Bridge | url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/10/23/1098474908951.html?from=storylhs | accessdate=13 February 2007 | date=23 October 2004}}</ref> |
Revision as of 15:36, 22 February 2016
Mooney Mooney Bridge | |
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Coordinates | 33°25′59″S 151°15′14″E / 33.433°S 151.254°E |
Carries | Pacific Motorway |
Crosses | Mooney Mooney Creek |
Locale | Mooney Mooney Creek, New South Wales |
Official name | Mooney Mooney Creek Bridge |
Maintained by | Roads and Maritime Services |
Characteristics | |
Design | Cantilever bridge |
Total length | Template:Unit length |
Width | Template:Unit length |
Height | Template:Unit length |
Longest span | Template:Unit length |
History | |
Opened | December 1986 |
Location | |
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![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cc/Mooney_Mooney_Bridge_from_Pacific_Hwy.jpg/220px-Mooney_Mooney_Bridge_from_Pacific_Hwy.jpg)
Mooney Mooney Creek Bridge, popularly known as the Mooney Mooney Bridge, is a twin cantilever bridge that spans Mooney Mooney Creek in Brisbane Water National Park on the Central Coast of New South Wales as part of the Pacific Motorway. It is the highest road bridge in Australia as measured from the road bed to the water Template:Unit length below.[1] It was opened in December 1986 and is maintained by NSW Roads and Maritime Services.[2]
The Pacific Motorway is the main road link between Sydney, the Central Coast and the Hunter Region. The only other road that links all three regions is the Pacific Highway which from Cowan to Kariong follows a scenic winding route.[3]
Design
Mooney Mooney Bridge was designed by Bruce Judd of the then Department of Main Roads (DMR) and built by Enpro Constructions by the free cantilever method of post tensioned concrete. It consists of twin bridges, each bridge with a main span & two approach spans. The span at the western end of the bridge is Template:Unit length long, the main span is Template:Unit length long and the eastern span is Template:Unit length long.[2]
The design has been said to demonstrate how good engineering design and good aesthetics are synonymous, and has been used as a standard in the design of bridges throughout New South Wales. They employ a two rail parapet which optimises views of the landscape. The bridges were designed with the natural surroundings in mind and form a simple uncluttered shape so not to detract from the natural bushland of the national park. The three span haunched girders on the bridge were critical to this as were the multiple piers that provide character and strength.[4]
The bridge is the second crossing of the creek in the area, with the original two lane truss bridge that still services Pacific Highway traffic not far downstream of the modern bridge.
Incidents
The Mooney Mooney Bridge has been the site of several accidents, resulting in the Pacific Motorway being closed to traffic and causing delays. Some of these accidents have prompted debate on whether a new road should be built to supplement the existing freeway.[5]
On 23 October 2004 a semi-trailer's brakes failed coming down the Freeway and caused a pile-up involving 35 vehicles that had slowed down as a result of a car accident on the other side of the bridge. This accident resulted in the death of a woman.[6] On 12 February 2007 another accident occurred when a truck was travelling down the freeway and lost control approaching the bridge, smashing through a guard rail and plunging 30 metres down an embankment at the side of the bridge.[7]
The Mooney Mooney Bridge, because of its height, has been susceptible in the past to people committing suicide. As a result, a fence was erected along the side of the bridge to prevent people jumping off. This fence was erected in 2003 and cost A$1,000,000.[8]
References
- ^ "hawkesburyriver.org.au". History on the Hawksbury River. Retrieved 12 February 2007.
- ^ a b Mooney Mooney Bridge (1986) at Structurae. Retrieved on 13 February 2007. Cite error: The named reference "smmb" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ "ozroads.com.au". Ozroads: NSW State Route 83. Retrieved 13 February 2007.[self-published source]
- ^ "rta.nsw.gov.au" (PDF). Roads and Traffic Authority: Bridge Aesthetics – Design guidelines to improve the appearance of bridges in NSW (PDF File). Retrieved 14 February 2007.
- ^ "expressadvocate.com.au". Central Coast Express Advocate – Breaking News: Double Vision. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 13 February 2007.
{{cite web}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ "Sydney Morning Herald: F3 reopens after fatal smash". The Sydney Morning Herald. 23 October 2004. Retrieved 13 February 2007.
- ^ "police.nsw.gov.au". New South Wales Police Online – Latest Media Information: Truck Crash – Mooney Mooney Bridge. 23 October 2004. Retrieved 13 February 2007.
- ^ "What's it cost to save a man's life?". Dads in Distress. Archived from the original on 22 February 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2007.