Total length 467 m Bridge type Girder bridge | No. of spans 18 Opened 1934 | |
Carries Road traffic;Separated pedestrian footpath and cycleway Maintained by Roads & Maritime Services Similar Tuggerah Lake, Girder bridge, Toowoon Bay, Shelly Beach, Brisbane Water | ||
The Entrance Bridge is a 467-metre long (1,532 ft) concrete girder bridge with 18 spans across the Tuggerah Lakes and joins the towns of The Entrance and The Entrance North, located on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia. The bridge passes over The Entrance Channel leading into the Tuggerah Lakes and carries road traffic across Wilfred Barret Drive as part of the Central Coast Highway, as well as a grade-separated pedestrian footpath and cycleway.
The bridge is maintained by the NSW Government Roads & Maritime Services.
History
Opened in 1934, the inaugural Entrance Bridge was originally a wooden single lane bridge with bypass bays at intervals that allowed traffic travelling in the opposite direction to pass. The original bridge was adequate until 1965 as it only served traffic travelling as far as The Entrance North.
Around 1955, the Number 11 bus operated by Red Bus Services crashed through a wooden retaining wall and landed in The Entrance Channel after its brakes failed while turning onto The Entrance Bridge. The driver and three passengers were uninjured, although the boat that the bus landed on was heavily damaged.
In 1965, Wilfred Barret Drive was opened by the Deputy Premier, the Hon. Pat Hills. The road was named after Councillor Wilfred Barret who was a member of the first Wyong Shire Council. The road continues to be an important link between The Entrance and Toukley, passing through Wyrrabalong National Park.
By the end of 1965 the bridge was dangerous and too costly to maintain. The traffic flow over the old bridge at The Entrance increased to such an extent the structure was under constant repair. Work began on the current two lane, concrete structure on 17 July 1967 after a successful tender by Transbridge Pty Ltd. The bridge was opened to traffic on 20 December 1968 and officially opened by the NSW Premier, the Hon. Robert Askin on 18 April 1969.
