Mooney Mooney Bridge

Mooney Mooney Creek Bridge, popularly known as the Mooney Mooney Bridge, is a twin cantilever bridge that spans Mooney Mooney Creek in Brisbane Water National Park on the Central Coast of New South Wales as part of the Pacific Motorway. It is the highest road bridge in Australia as measured from the road bed to the water 75m below. It was opened in December 1986 and is maintained by NSW Roads and Maritime Services.The Pacific Motorway is the main road link between Sydney, the Central Coast and the Hunter Region. The only other road that links all three regions is the Pacific Highway which from Cowan to Kariong follows a scenic winding route.DesignMooney Mooney Bridge was designed by Bruce Judd of the then Department of Main Roads and built by Enpro Constructions by the free cantilever method of post tensioned concrete. It consists of twin bridges, each bridge with a main span & two approach spans. The span at the western end of the bridge is 135m long, the main span is 220m long and the eastern span is 131m long.The design has been said to demonstrate how good engineering design and good aesthetics are synonymous, and has been used as a standard in the design of bridges throughout New South Wales. They employ a two rail parapet which optimises views of the landscape. The bridges were designed with the natural surroundings in mind and form a simple uncluttered shape so not to detract from the natural bushland of the national park. The three span haunched girders on the bridge were critical to this as were the multiple piers that provide character and strength.