Murray River road bridge, Swan Hill
Murray River road bridge, Swan Hill | |
---|---|
lift span | |
Material | Timber and riveted lattice steel |
Trough construction | Timber |
Pier construction | Timber and cast iron |
Longest span | 27.9 metres (92 ft) |
No. of spans | 3 |
No. of lanes |
|
History | |
Designer | Percy Allan |
Opened | 1896 |
Official name | Swan Hill-Murray River Road Bridge; Murray River road bridge, Swan Hill |
Type | State heritage (built) |
Designated | 20 June 2000 |
Reference no. | 1481 |
Type | Road Bridge |
Category | Transport – Land |
Location | |
The Murray River road bridge is a
History
The
Description
Swan Hill Bridge is a timber
The two main truss spans are 27.9-metre (92 ft)
There is a footway added on the upstream side, using steel beams. this has resulted in modification of the top chord stabilising angles to the Allan trusses.[1]
Condition
As at 23 June 2005, the bridge is described as being in fair condition as it has had major rehabilitation in recent years. One truss span was repaired in May 1998.[1]
Transport for NSW issued a community update entitled "Planning for a future Murray River crossing at Swan Hill in September 2020.[2]
A new bridge is now under construction about 110 metres south (upstream) of the existing Swan Hill Bridge. The bridge is about 192 metres long and has two traffic lanes, one in each direction. There is a shared pedestrian and cyclist path. There are three sets of piers within the Murray River and a lift span over the navigation channel to provide access under the bridge for large river craft.[3]
Heritage listing
As at 23 June 2005, Swan Hill Bridge is significant under all four criteria - historical, aesthetic, technical, and social. The significance of the bridge lies in its form, setting and materials. The presence of the lift span is important. The appropriate level of significance in NSW is State and likely of national significance. The form and setting have high aesthetic and social significance. The superstructure construction - Allan timber trusses and Allan lift span have very high significance in the detail and materials. The bridge is the original of its type, and extremely rare (there is one other example at Tooleybuc).[1]
Swan Hill-Murray River Road Bridge was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 20 June 2000 having satisfied the following criteria.[1]
The place is important in demonstrating the course, or pattern, of cultural or natural history in New South Wales.
The Swan Hill Bridge is historically very significant. It is hard to differentiate between historical and technical significance in this instance as they are closely intertwined. This bridge has great importance for its association with Percy Allan, who is respected as the outstanding bridge engineer in NSW. In his 46 years in the Public Service he designed over 550 bridges, including several outstanding structures. Swan Hill Bridge was one of his major works, and a significant advancement in technology. He was extremely proud of this bridge and prepared a technical paper on it. The bridge demonstrates a major step in the evolving pattern of our moveable bridge history.[1]
The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales.
The Swan Hill Bridge has aesthetic significance due to its outstanding setting and landmark qualities. The bridge provides a gateway to NSW from the major urban area of Swan Hill. It is a focus of the town to the river, which it dominates by its size and mass. The setting within the town of a lift bridge is rare, being only duplicated (with RTA bridges) at Tooleybuc.[1]
The place has strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in New South Wales for social, cultural or spiritual reasons.
The Swan Hill Bridge has high significance in the Swan Hill / Wakool District as the main urban link across the river and the focus of movements across the river, controlling access of people and commerce. The river is the centre of social and recreational region, and the Swan Hill Bridge is the centre of this area. It is considered an important element in the region by the local people, although there is concern at its perceived traffic inadequacies.[1]
Engineering heritage award
The bridge received a Historic Engineering Marker from Engineers Australia as part of its Engineering Heritage Recognition Program.[4]
See also
References
- ^ .
- ^ "Planning for a futre Murray River crossing at Swan Hill" (PDF). www.nsw.gov.au. 1 September 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
- ^ "New Road Bridge at Swan Hill" (PDF).
- ^ "Swan Hill, River Murray Road Bridge, 1896-". Engineers Australia. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
Bibliography
- "Swan Hill-Murray River Road Bridge". VisitNSW. 2007.
- "Swan Hill-Murray River Road Bridge". Attraction Homepage. 2007.
- Foster, W. C. (1985). Sir Thomas Livingston Mitchell and his World, 1792-1855.
- Ronald, R. B. (1960). The Riverina: People and Properties.
- Whitworth, R. P. (1866). Baillière's New South Wales Gazetteer and Road Guide.
Attribution
This Wikipedia article was originally based on Swan Hill-Murray River Road Bridge, entry number 01481 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
Media related to Murray River road bridge, Swan Hill at Wikimedia Commons