Hornibrook Bridge
From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.
Two bridges connect Redcliffe peninsula to the outskirts of Brisbane City, the Hornibrook Bridge and the Houghton Highway.
Hornibrook Bridge
The Hornibrook Bridge opened on October 14, 1935 connecting the cities of Redcliffe and Brisbane. The bridge is 2.8 kilometers long and originally had two traffic lanes and a pedestrian footpath. Timber for the construction of the bridge was brought down Pine River on barges. The hardwood used in piles and girders mostly came from timber mills around Maleny. Handsome art-deco concrete abutment arches frame the entry and exit approaches. Construction of the bridge was important for the growth of the towns on the Redcliffe peninsula as it made the commute to Brisbane far faster, increasing population growth and number of visitors to the seaside in Redcliffe. The bridge was operated and maintained by a private company and a toll applied for much of its life as a traffic bridge, with toll booths set up on the Clontarf side. The bridge closed to traffic in 1979 and is now a popular site for recreation and fishing. The structure has received a heritage listing from the Queensland State Government.
Houghton Highway
The Houghton Highway was built parallel to the Hoornibrook bridge. The bridge is constructed from cement, it has 99 spans and a total of 400 beams. The bridge also has 3 lanes and a 50 000 vehicles per day capicity. It is the longest bridge of its type in the Southern Hemisphere.
