Victoria Bridge, Townsville
| Victoria Bridge, Townsville | |
|---|---|
The Bridge at Dawn with the Sugarshaker (Townsvilles Highest Building) in the background.
|
|
| Coordinates | 19°15′37″S 146°49′06″E / 19.2604°S 146.8184°ECoordinates: 19°15′37″S 146°49′06″E / 19.2604°S 146.8184°E |
| Carries | Pedestrians |
| Crosses | Ross Creek, South Townsville |
| Locale | Townsville, Queensland |
| Heritage status | Queensland Heritage Register (ID 600928) |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Swing bridge |
| Material | Steel |
| History | |
| Constructed by | G. H. Royce & Co. |
| Construction start | 1888 |
| Opened | 2 July 1889 |
| Closed | 1975 |
| Victoria Bridge, Townsville | |
|---|---|
 Location of Victoria Bridge, Townsville in Queensland
|
|
| Location | Stokes Street, Townsville, City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia |
| Coordinates | 19°15′37″S 146°49′06″E / 19.2604°S 146.8184°E |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1888 - 1980s |
| Official name: Victoria Bridge | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600928 |
| Significant period | 1880s (fabric) 1889-1975 (historical use) |
| Significant components | machinery/plant/equipment - transport - road, pier/s (bridge) |
| Builders | G H Royce & Co |
Victoria Bridge is a heritage-listed swing bridge over the Ross Creek at Stokes Street, Townsville CBD, City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. The central-pivoting swing bridge was constructed by G. H. Royce & Co. in 1888 to 1889. It is one of only two of its type constructed in Australia.
By 1924 the swing section had ceased to function, but the bridge continued to serve as a road bridge until 1975. Following a 1988 redevelopment, it was converted to pedestrian traffic, with a row of modern shops built along its length.
It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.
Apart from Victoria Bridge, built in 1888-1889, the only other metal girder swing bridge constructed in Australia was the smaller one over the Forth River at Leith in Tasmania, built in 1884. Tenders were called by the Department of Works, Bridges Branch, on 25 September 1885 for the Townsville structure. A tender submitted by G.H. Royce & Co. of Sydney was accepted at a cost of £18,868. The approaches were constructed by Robertson & Stein and cost £1,780.
It was opened to traffic on 2 July 1889 and saw active service until 1975. The innovative design of a swing bridge pivoting on a central drum was an unusual method of allowing river traffic to pass up shallow Ross Creek. The central swing allowed large ships to pass through in the deeper, left hand channel, while smaller craft could take the shallower right lane. During the years after the bridge was opened the commercial centre of Townsville expanded and the warehouse district was gradually confined closer to the mouth of Ross Creek. Ships were no longer required to move up the creek to unload. By 1924 the swing section had ceased to function because of movement of the central drum.
However, vehicular traffic continued to cross for another fifty years. The bridge had seriously deteriorated by the 1980s and was threatened with demolition, until 1988 when it was leased by the Townsville City Council to a developer. Conservation work was undertaken as part of the re-development. A new superstructure of shops was built onto and around the existing fabric and the approaches to the bridge and the banks were landscaped. The kiosks installed along the northern bank are now a favourite meeting place for the community.
...
Wikipedia