ON 1 November in 1971, Daddy Cool was top of the charts with Eagle Rock, Australian films Walkabout and Wake in Fright were wowing international audiences, and NSW Premier Robert Askin opened the Stockton Bridge to traffic.

Transport for NSW Regional Director North Anna Zycki said it’s great to see the four-lane bridge is still going strong half a century later, providing a vital connection between Newcastle and Port Stephens.

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“Before the NSW Government funded this 1,024-metre span over the Hunter River, vehicles would cross by ferry,” Ms Zycki said.

“When it was completed, this was the longest bridge to be built by the then-Department of Main Roads, now Transport for NSW, and the second longest bridge in NSW after the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

“At a cost of $6.5 million in 1971, or about $76 million if it were built today, Stockton Bridge is a major transport route carrying 19,000 vehicles each day, about 1,000 of which are heavy vehicles.”

Ms Zycki said work to build the concrete arch bridge started in 1968 to meet the needs of increased traffic from rapid urban, industrial and tourist development in the area.

“The 30-span concrete bridge was designed to provide a 30-metre clearance for shipping and has a central footway for pedestrians,” Ms Zycki said.

“The structure was formed from 23,000 cubic yards of concrete, together with 600 tonnes of high tensile steel and 2,500 tonnes of steel reinforcement.

“Transport for NSW recently completed major maintenance work on the bridge to ensure its structural integrity and continued safe operation, with most of the work carried out in a confined space within the bridge to minimise the impact to road users.”

More information about Stockton Bridge is available at nswroads.work/stocktonbridge.