Iron Cove Bridge

Infobox Bridge


bridge_name= Iron Cove Bridge
official_name= Iron Cove Bridge
locale= Sydney, Australia
carries=Motor vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles
crosses= Iron Cove
maint= Roads and Traffic Authority
open= July 1955
below=
design= Truss bridge
mainspan=
length= 1,535 feet (461.26 m)
width= 44.95 feet (13.70 m)

Iron Cove Bridge is a heritage listed bridge linking the suburbs of Rozelle to the southeast and Drummoyne to the northwest, across Iron Cove in the inner-west of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia. [cite web |url=http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/07_subnav_01_2.cfm?itemid=791 |title=Iron Cove Bridge |publisher=NSW Heritage Office |accessdate=2006-12-25]

Original

The original bridge was constructed of wrought iron lattice girders and opened in 1882 after four years of construction. The area was sparsely populated in the 1880s and the opening of the new bridge not only helped accessibility, it provided a new western route to Sydney via Balmain. All that remains of the original bridge are the sandstone abutments situated on both sides of the cove about 20 metres (65 ft) south of the current bridge. The abutment on the Drummoyne side is listed on the NSW Heritage Register. [cite web |url=http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/07_subnav_01_2.cfm?itemid=1510077 |title=Iron Cove Bridge Abutment |publisher=NSW Heritage Office |accessdate=2006-12-25]

Replacement

A decision to replace the original bridge was made in 1939 just prior to the outbreak of World War II. Design work began in 1942 and construction by Hornibrook McKenzie Clarke Pty Ltd commenced in 1947. The bridge was officially opened by Hon. J.J. Cahill, MLA, Premier and Colonial Treasurer of NSW on the 30 July, 1955.

The bridge was built to carry four lanes of traffic, but a fifth lane was later added to the southwest side of the bridge. This extra lane runs outside of the main bridge supports, forcing traffic to remain in the lane for the length of the bridge. The default configuration is three westbound and two eastbound lanes, switching to two westbound and three eastbound lanes during the morning peak.

Duplication proposal

On 20 November 2006, the NSW Government announced plans to construct a second bridge over Iron Cove as part of a A$100m upgrade to Victoria Road. New South Wales Government; "News Release - $100 Million Victoria Road Upgrade"; 20 November 2006. [http://www.nsw.gov.au/pdf/Victoria_Rd_Upgrade.pdf] ] The new bridge, which is due for completion in 2009, will carry eastbound traffic and consist of three general traffic lanes and a bus lane. The existing bridge will carry four lanes of traffic westbound - three general traffic lanes and a bus lane, while the existing additional southwest lane will be converted to pedestrian and bicycle use. Premier Morris Iemma said that the Iron Cove Bridge duplication will greatly improve Victoria Road bus services. [Baker, J., Clennell, A; "Iemma's poll ticket: $660m transport fix"; Sydney Morning Herald; 20 November 2006. [http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/iemmas-poll-ticket-660m-transport-fix/2006/11/19/1163871272062.html] ]

Architecture

The bridge is comprised of aesthetically distinctive piers and abutments which reflect the Inter-War Art Deco style. Furthermore it was the last steel truss bridge to be constructed in New South Wales in which rivets were used for field connections prior to the introduction of high strength bolts.

ee also

* Art Deco
* The Bay Run, a popular pathway for joggers, walkers and cyclists which passes across Iron Cove Bridge.

References

* Lawrence, J; Warne, C; "A Pictorial History of Balmain to Glebe", Kingsclear Books, 1995, ISBN 0-908272-40-5.
* Roads and Traffic Authority, New South Wales; [http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/index.cgi?action=heritage.show&id=4302673 RTA Heritage and Conservation Register - Iron Cove Bridge]
* Baulderstone Hornibrook Website; "About Us" [http://www.bh.com.au/aboutus/ViewArticle.aspx?page=2] ; Accessed October 2006.

External links

* [http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au Roads and Traffic Authority, New South Wales.]
* [http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/constructionmaintenance/downloads/victoriaroad/vru_poposal_dl1.html Duplication proposal (RTA).]
* [http://photosau.com/Leichhardt/scripts/home.asp Local Images at InnerWest ImageBank]
* [http://www.lmc.nsw.gov.au/libraries/07 Local History Collection, Leichhardt Council]