The Neville Hewitt Bridge is a road bridge which spans the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. It was officially opened by Queensland premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen on 16 August 1980.[1][2]
Neville Hewitt Bridge | |
|---|---|
 Neville Hewitt Bridge, 2020 | |
| Coordinates | 23°22′13″S 150°30′36″E / 23.3703°S 150.5100°E |
| Carries | motor vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians |
| Crosses | Fitzroy River |
| Named for | Neville Hewitt |
| History | |
| Opened | 16 August 1980 |
| Location | |
 | |
The Neville Hewitt Bridge is the fourth bridge to be constructed across the river at Rockhampton, following the completion of the original Fitzroy Bridge in 1881, the Alexandra Railway Bridge in 1899 and the second Fitzroy Bridge in 1952.
The bridge was named after long-serving local politician Neville Hewitt who served as the Minister for Lands, Forestry and Water Resources.[3][4]
The Neville Hewitt Bridge currently carries the Bruce Highway across the Fitzroy River, connecting Albert Street in Rockhampton City with Moore's Creek Road in Park Avenue.[1]
Up to 36,000 vehicles use the bridge each day.[5]
However, the Bruce Highway will be diverted upon the completion of the Rockhampton Ring Road, when a new bridge will open upstream to allow vehicles to bypass the city.[6]
There have long been calls from the local community for an additional bridge to be constructed across the Fitzroy River at Rockhampton to ease traffic congestion.[7][8][9]
Significant disruption to the city's traffic network has previously occurred when the Neville Hewitt Bridge has been blocked by various accidents.[10][11]
Though the bridge was built in 1980, local media still describe the Neville Hewitt Bridge as a "new bridge".[12][13][14]
References
edit- ^ a b Edition Details: The Neville Hewitt Bridge - gateway to the tropics Archived 21 August 2018 at the Wayback Machine, Queensland Main Roads Department. 1980. Accessed 20 August 2018.
- ^ The Neville Hewitt Bridge project (Commemorative plaque at southern entrance to bridge). Rockhampton City, Queensland: Queensland Government. 1980.
This plaque commemorates the official opening of the Neville Hewitt Bridge project by Hon. J. Bjelke-Petersen, M.L.A., premier of Queensland on 16th August 1980.
- ^ (12 June 1980) Bridge named, page 3, The Canberra Times. Accessed 20 August 2018.
- ^ Gately, Michelle (20 July 2016) Neville Hewitt lived life to its fullest Archived 15 January 2017 at the Wayback Machine, The Morning Bulletin, News Corp Australia. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
- ^ Walker, Helen (22 July 2016) Vale Neville Hewitt Archived 23 July 2016 at the Wayback Machine, Queensland Country Life, Fairfax Media. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
- ^ Rockhampton Ring Road (Plan and Preserve) Project Archived 11 April 2018 at the Wayback Machine, Department of Transport and Main Roads website. Accessed 20 August 2018.
- ^ Roberts, Alice (30 May 2013) Bridge accident sparks debate Archived 24 October 2022 at the Wayback Machine, ABC Capricornia, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
- ^ Taylor, Lea (25 February 2011) Opinion: One chance to get bridge right Archived 21 August 2018 at the Wayback Machine, The Morning Bulletin, APN News & Media. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
- ^ (1 September 2007) Third bridge out of sight Archived 21 August 2018 at the Wayback Machine, The Morning Bulletin, APN News & Media. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
- ^ Robinson, Paul (29 May 2013) Semi-trailer jack-knifes on Rockhampton bridge Archived 31 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine, ABC News, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
- ^ Robinson, Paul (27 October 2014) Truck crash disrupts Rockhampton traffic Archived 1 November 2016 at the Wayback Machine, ABC News, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
- ^ (18 August 2014) Traffic backed up to cinemas after crash on new bridge Archived 21 August 2018 at the Wayback Machine, The Morning Bulletin, APN News & Media. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
- ^ Jarrett, Vanessa (7 January 2018) Drone footage of crocodile near new bridge Archived 21 August 2018 at the Wayback Machine, The Morning Bulletin, News Corp Australia. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
- ^ Jarrett, Vanessa (1 May 2018) Multiple cars involved in pile up on Rocky's new bridge Archived 21 August 2018 at the Wayback Machine, The Morning Bulletin. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 20 August 2018.