Barwon Heads Bridge

The Barwon Heads Bridge is a road bridge and a separate pedestrian bridge across the Barwon River between Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove, Victoria, Australia. The bridge is the only crossing of the Barwon River between Geelong and the river mouth at Barwon Heads.

Barwon Heads Bridge
Barwon Heads Bridge
Coordinates38°16′57″S 144°29′45″E
Carries
CrossesBarwon River
Localebetween Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove, Victoria, Australia
Maintained byVicRoads
Characteristics
DesignBeam bridge
MaterialTimber, steel, concrete
Total length308.5 metres (1,012 ft)
Width9 metres (30 ft)
No. of spans34
Load limit44 tonnes (43 long tons; 49 short tons)
History
Constructed byMcConnell Dowell Constructors (Aust)
Construction startMay 2009
Construction endDecember 2010
Replaces1927–2010 timber bridge
Location

History

The original timber bridge was the longest surviving example of a timber stringer road bridge in Victoria. It was constructed entirely of timber in 1926–1927, and was a "causeway"-type structure, having a low, flat profile, with closely spaced piers. A 2006 condition report determined that the bridge had reached the end of its effective life and should be replaced.

Description

The new road bridge, which replaced the historic timber bridge, utilised components and design elements of the original Barwon Heads Bridge. The road bridge consists of 34 spans supported by 185 treated timber piles (five timber piles to each pier), galvanised steel I beams and reinforced concrete deck. The piers are spaced to match the original timber bridge. The bridge is 308.5 metres (1,012 ft) long and 9 metres (30 ft) wide and it carries two 3.3-metre-wide (11 ft) traffic lanes.[1]

The new 4.5-metre-wide (15 ft) pedestrian bridge is located 10 metres (33 ft) downstream from the new road bridge. It is a modern concrete bridge with 18-metre-long (59 ft) spans supported by one pile per pier.[2]

Construction of the bridge began in May 2009 and it was completed and opened to traffic in December 2010.

References
  1. "Barwon Heads Bridge" (PDF). Australian National Construction Review. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  2. "Barwon Heads Bridge" (PDF). Australian National Construction Review. Retrieved 20 January 2023.


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