Maintenance work worth $6 million on the Stockton Bridge is on track for completion in mid-2021.
Transport for NSW Director North Region Anna Zycki said the iconic bridge’s $6 million facelift is being funded by the NSW Government and is being carried out to ensure the crossing of the Hunter River continues to provide a safe and reliable journey for years to come.
“More than 19,000 vehicles a day use this essential transport and freight link between Newcastle and Port Stephens, and almost 1000 of those are heavy vehicles,” Zycki said.
“Maintaining the four-lane, 23-span concrete arch bridge is no easy feat but crews have been working within the bridge’s interior 35 metres above the river, installing steel plates to strengthen the expansion joints.
She said the work is supporting eight full time positions and eight companies in the supply chain.
“Work is now progressing on fitting steel plates externally and to do this, crews are using a custom-designed lightweight access platform which is 11 metres wide and stretches under the entire width of the bridge.”
Zycki said this purpose-built apparatus has been key to the success and quality of work to date.
“This platform allows the crew to safely access difficult areas on the bridge and make steady progress without any major setbacks or issues,” Zycki said.
“The project team is currently installing the external steel plates at the Newcastle end of the bridge and once this is complete, the scaffold will be moved to the Stockton end to complete the works.”
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