Tea Gardens-Hawks Nest Bridge, Concrete girder bridge in New South Wales, Australia.
Tea Gardens-Hawks Nest Bridge is a concrete girder bridge spanning 304 meters across the Myall River with seven segments supporting its structure. The crossing includes two pedestrian walkways positioned alongside the vehicle lanes.
The bridge opened in 1974 and replaced a ferry service that had connected the communities since 1928. The ferry operation was known for long waits that could stretch several hours during peak times.
The nickname Singing Bridge comes from the humming tones the railings produce in strong south-westerly winds blowing roughly parallel to the span. For years brown pelicans roosted on the bridge lamps; after complaints about droppings, soft spikes were fitted in 2004, and a petition by about 600 residents to remove them was rejected by Great Lakes Council. The birds now rest near the boat ramps and harbour.
The roadway is 7.3 m wide with two lanes, flanked by two 1.5 m pedestrian walkways. Clearance under the deck is 10.6 m at high water, so boats pass beneath even at flood tide. All eight piers stand on islands in the Myall River. The bridge is the only permanent road link to Hawks Nest and the southern Myall Lakes National Park, and in holiday periods it carries up to 433 vehicles an hour.
The humming comes from the railings when strong south-westerly winds blow roughly parallel to the span, acting as a wind harp. For years brown pelicans roosted on the bridge lamps; after complaints about droppings, soft spikes were fitted in 2004, and a petition by about 600 residents to remove them was rejected by Great Lakes Council.
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