{{short description|Concrete road bridge in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia}} {{Use Australian English|date=June 2020}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} {{Infobox bridge | name = Neville Hewitt Bridge | native_name = | native_name_lang = | image = Neville Hewitt Bridge Fitzroy.jpg | image_size = 220 | image_upright = | alt = | caption = The bridge in 2020 | coordinates = {{coord|-23.3703|150.5100|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|display=it|format=dms}} | os_grid_reference = | qid = | fetchwikidata = | onlysourced = | carries = Bruce Highway; motor vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians | crosses = Fitzroy River | locale = Rockhampton, Central Queensland, Australia | starts = Rockhampton City | ends = North Rockhampton | official_name = | other_name = | named_for = Neville Hewitt | owner = | maint = | heritage = | id = | id_type = | website = | preceded = Alexandra Railway Bridge<!-- or |upstream= --> | followed = Fitzroy Bridge (1952)<!-- or |downstream= --> | design = | material = Concrete | material1 = | material2 = | length = | width = | height = | depth = | traversable = | towpath = | mainspan = | number_spans = | piers_in_water = | load = | clearance_above = | clearance_below = | lanes = | life = | diameter = | first_length = | first_diameter = | second_length = | second_diameter = | third_length = | third_diameter = | capacity = | num_track = | track_gauge = | structure_gauge = | electrification = | architect = | designer = | contracted_designer = | winner = | engineering = | builder = | fabricator = | built = | begin = | complete = | cost = | opened = 16 August 1980<!-- or |opening= |open= --> | inaugurated = <!-- or |dedicated= --> | rebuilt = | collapsed = | destroyed = | closed = | demolished = | replaces = Fitzroy Bridge (1952) | replaced_by = | traffic = 36,000 {{small|(2016)}} | toll = | extra = <!-- extra = module = embed = --> | references = }} The '''Neville Hewitt Bridge''' is a concrete road bridge that carries the Bruce Highway across the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. The bridge was officially opened by Queensland premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen on 16 August 1980,<ref name=gateway>{{cite web |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/38972884?q&versionId=51766594 |title=Edition Details: The Neville Hewitt Bridge - gateway to the tropics |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821062613/https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/38972884?q&versionId=51766594 |archive-date=21 August 2018 |work=Queensland Main Roads Department |date=1980 |access-date=20 August 2018 |via=Trove. National Library of Australia }}</ref><ref>{{Cite sign |title=The Neville Hewitt Bridge project |year=1980 |type=Commemorative plaque at southern entrance to bridge |publisher=Queensland Government |location=Rockhampton City, Queensland |quote=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.}}</ref> and named in honour of long-serving local politician Neville Hewitt who served as the Minister for Lands, Forestry and Water Resources.<ref>{{cite news |date=12 June 1980 |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/11096185120 |title=Bridge named |page=3 |work=The Canberra Times |access-date=20 August 2018 |via=Trove. National Library of Australia }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Gately, Michelle |date=20 July 2016 |url=https://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/neville-lived-life-to-its-fullest/3064861 |title=Neville Hewitt lived life to its fullest |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170115064856/http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/neville-lived-life-to-its-fullest/3064861/ |archive-date=15 January 2017 |work=The Morning Bulletin |access-date=20 August 2018 }}</ref>
== Overview == The Neville Hewitt Bridge is the fourth bridge constructed across the Fitzroy 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.
thumb|left|Plaque on the bridge commemorating its 1980 opening, 2022 The Neville Hewitt Bridge carries the Bruce Highway across the Fitzroy River, connecting Albert Street in Rockhampton City with Moore's Creek Road in Park Avenue.<ref name=gateway/> {{as of|2016|07}}, up to 36,000 vehicles used the bridge each day.<ref>{{cite news |author=Walker, Helen |date=22 July 2016 |url=https://www.queenslandcountrylife.com.au/story/4047750/vale-neville-hewitt |title=Vale Neville Hewitt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160723165957/https://www.queenslandcountrylife.com.au/story/4047750/vale-neville-hewitt |archive-date=23 July 2016 |work=Queensland Country Life |access-date=20 August 2018 }}</ref> In 2018, the Queensland Government announced plans to divert the Bruce Highway upon completion of the Rockhampton Ring Road, when a new bridge will open upstream to allow vehicles to bypass the city. The Ring Road project was expected to be completed in 2031.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects/Name/R/Rockhampton-Ring-Road |title=Rockhampton Ring Road (Plan and Preserve) Project |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411175725/https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects/Name/R/Rockhampton-Ring-Road |archive-date=11 April 2018 |work=Department of Transport and Main Roads |publisher=Queensland Government |access-date=20 August 2018 }}</ref>
To ease traffic congestion in Rockhampton, the local community has called for an additional bridge to be constructed across the Fitzroy River.<ref>{{cite news |author=Roberts, Alice |date=30 May 2013 |url=http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2013/05/30/3770714.htm |title=Bridge accident sparks debate |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024004035/https://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2013/05/30/3770714.htm |archive-date=24 October 2022 |work=ABC Capricornia |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=20 August 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Taylor, Lea |date=25 February 2011 |url=https://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/one-chance-to-get-bridge-right-cq-regions/779024 |title=Opinion: One chance to get bridge right |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821093838/https://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/one-chance-to-get-bridge-right-cq-regions/779024/ |archive-date=21 August 2018 |work=The Morning Bulletin |access-date=20 August 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author= |date=1 September 2007 |url=https://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/apn-third-bridge-out-of/62929 |title=Third bridge out of sight |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821093853/https://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/apn-third-bridge-out-of/62929/ |archive-date=21 August 2018 |work=The Morning Bulletin |access-date=20 August 2018 }}</ref> Significant disruption to the city's traffic network occurs when the Neville Hewitt Bridge is blocked by various accidents.<ref>{{cite news |author=Robinson, Paul |date=29 May 2013 |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-29/semi-trailer-jackknives-on-rockhampton-bridge/4719940 |title=Semi-trailer jack-knifes on Rockhampton bridge |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031191611/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-29/semi-trailer-jackknives-on-rockhampton-bridge/4719940 |archive-date=31 October 2016 |work=ABC News |location=Australia |access-date=20 August 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Robinson, Paul |date=27 October 2014 |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-27/truck-crash-disrupts-rockhampton-traffic/5843586 |title=Truck crash disrupts Rockhampton traffic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101061859/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-27/truck-crash-disrupts-rockhampton-traffic/5843586 |archive-date=1 November 2016 |work=ABC News |location=Australia |access-date=20 August 2018 }}</ref>
Though the bridge was built in 1980, local media still describe the Neville Hewitt Bridge as a "new bridge".<ref>{{cite news |author= |date=18 August 2014 |url=https://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/two-accidents-rockhampton-cbd-hold-traffic/2354796 |title=Traffic backed up to cinemas after crash on new bridge |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821160416/https://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/two-accidents-rockhampton-cbd-hold-traffic/2354796/ |archive-date=21 August 2018 |work=The Morning Bulletin |access-date=20 August 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Jarrett, Vanessa |date=7 January 2018 |url=https://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/watch-drone-footage-of-crocodile-near-new-bridge-i/3305117 |title=Drone footage of crocodile near new bridge |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821093845/https://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/watch-drone-footage-of-crocodile-near-new-bridge-i/3305117/ |archive-date=21 August 2018 |work=The Morning Bulletin |access-date=20 August 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Jarrett, Vanessa |date=1 May 2018 |url=https://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/multiple-cars-involved-in-pile-up-on-rockys-new-br/3403569 |title=Multiple cars involved in pile up on Rocky's new bridge |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821093900/https://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/multiple-cars-involved-in-pile-up-on-rockys-new-br/3403569/ |archive-date=21 August 2018 |work=The Morning Bulletin |access-date=20 August 2018 }}</ref>
==See also== {{stack|{{portal|Australian roads|Queensland}}}} * Fitzroy Bridge * Fitzroy Bridge (1952) * Alexandra Railway Bridge
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == {{commons cat-inline}}
Category:1980 establishments in Australia Category:Bridges completed in 1980 Category:Buildings and structures in Rockhampton Category:Concrete bridges in Australia Category:Road bridges in Queensland