Lennox Bridge, Parramatta
Lennox Bridge | |
---|---|
Hawkesbury sandstone | |
Total length | 27 metres (90 ft) |
Width | 9.1 metres (30 ft) |
Longest span | 23 metres (76 ft) |
No. of spans | 1 |
History | |
Designer | David Lennox |
Construction start | 22 October 1836 |
Construction end | 1839 |
Construction cost | £1,797 |
Type | Built |
Criteria | a., e., f. |
Designated | 2 April 1999 |
Reference no. | 00750 |
Location | |
References | |
[1][2][3][4] |
The Lennox Bridge is a heritage-listed
History
The Lennox Bridge is on the site of the earliest documented crossing of the Parramatta River in the Parramatta area, dating from early colonial settlement. The current bridge is the third on, or adjacent to, the site.[2] The first was a simple timber footbridge which was destroyed by floods in 1795. The second bridge, called the Gaol Bridge, was built on stone piers with timber railings and was completed between 1802 and 1804.[4][6]
The current Lennox Bridge is a single span stone elliptical arch bridge over Parramatta River on the line of Church Street, and is constructed of sandstone sourced from the Parramatta Female Factory quarry. Completed in 1839, the bridge cost £1,797 to complete.[2]
This was David Lennox's third and final bridge,[1] his first two being the Lennox Bridge at Glenbrook,[7] completed in 1833 (making it the second-oldest bridge on the Australian mainland, the oldest being the bridge at the base of Devines Hill at Wisemans Ferry on the Great North Road, which was completed in 1829–1830) and the Lansdowne Bridge, Lansvale, completed in 1836.[8]
In 1885–1886 the Department of Public Works removed the wall on the upstream (i.e. western) side of the bridge to widen it, and put up the present railing at the same time.[3] In 1901–02 the bridge was strengthened internally for the Castle Hill Tramway. In 1912 the parapet on the western side was removed, providing a cantilevered pedestrian way. In 1934–1935 this new section was removed, the Department of Main Roads widening the bridge in order to handle increased traffic. This modification saw the replacement of the cantilevered walk-way with an open concrete type and the straightening of the curved western face.[1][2]
In the 1990s Lennox Bridge was saved from demolition by campaigning by the National Trust of Australia (NSW).[5]
Description
Lennox Bridge is a single
Construction of tunnels for pedestrians and cyclists
In 2012 a controversial
Parramatta Light Rail
In 2019, construction began on the state significant project of the Parramatta Light Rail (Stage One),[17] servicing Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia with a two-way track spanning 12 kilometres, and is expected to open in 2023. As part of the project, a light rail and pedestrian zone would be established on Church Street between Market Street and Macquarie Street (including the Lennox Bridge) and the existing bridge would be retained, including the recently constructed active transport portals through the approaches, and would serve as a crossing for light rail, pedestrians and emergency vehicles only (i.e. no general road traffic).[18]
Heritage listing
Lennox Bridge is one of Parramatta's most important historic structures, and one of the earliest bridges in New South Wales and Australia. It is an example of the work of notable engineer David Lennox. The site possesses potential to contribute to an understanding of early urban development in Parramatta. The bridge is both historically and technically significant, and is rare.[5]
Lennox Bridge, Parramatta was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.[5]
See also
References
- ^ .
- ^ Roads & Maritime Services. Government of New South Wales. 14 May 2009. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
- ^ Parramatta City Council. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
- ^ a b c Kembrey, Melanie (7 December 2014). "One of Australia's first bridges found within Parramatta's historic Lennox Bridge". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
- ^ .
- ^ Newell, H. H. (2 October 1935). Lennon Bridge (Plaque, erected at the time of the widening of the bridge). Sydney: Commissioner for Main Roads.
- ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
- ^ "Parramatta Heritage Ride". Cyclists Action Movement West.
- ^ "Parramatta's historic properties under threat from development". Daily Telegraph. 17 October 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
- ^ Bartok, Di (20 February 2013). "Bridge pioneer shame". Parramatta Advertiser. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
- ^ Bartok, Di (25 October 2012). "Don't drill Lennox bridge: Parramatta heritage fighters". Parramatta Advertiser. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
- ^ "Work begins on Lennox Bridge portals". Parramatta Advertiser. 3 February 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
- ^ Kembrey, Melanie (5 February 2014). "Historians lament 'loss of heritage' as tunnel work starts". Parramatta Sun. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
- ^ "Tunnel through the north end of Lennox Bridge will be open to pedestrians and cyclists before Christmas". Parramatta Advertiser. 19 December 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
- ^ Bartok, Di (2 October 2013). "Lennox Bridge work could be held up by Heritage Office". Parramatta Advertiser. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
- ^ "Lennox Bridge Portal Opening - Parramatta River - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
- ^ "Stage 1: Westmead to Carlingford | Home | Parramatta Light Rail". www.parramattalightrail.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
- ^ "EIS Navigator | Home | Parramatta Light Rail". www.parramattalightrail.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
Attribution
This Wikipedia article contains material from Lennox Bridge, entry number 00750 in the New South Wales State Heritage Register published by the State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) 2018 under CC-BY 4.0 licence, accessed on 2 June 2018.
External links
- Kass, Terry (February 2006). "RTA Thematic History: A component of the RTA Heritage and Conservation Register" (PDF). NSW Roads & Maritime Services (PDF) (2nd ed.). Government of New South Wales. Retrieved 12 January 2015.