Birkenhead Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Birkenhead Bridge |
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Birkenhead Bridge in February 2010
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| Coordinates | 34°50′32″S 138°30′03″E / 34.84230°S 138.50093°E |
| Carries | Nelson Street |
| Crosses | Port River |
| Locale | Lefevre Peninsula |
| Owner | Department of Planning, Transport & Infrastructure |
| Preceded by | Tom 'Diver' Derrick Bridge |
| Followed by | Jervois Bridge |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Bascule |
| Total length | 246 metres |
| Width | 16 metres |
| Clearance above | 5.4 metres |
| History | |
| Constructed by | Adelaide Construction |
| Fabrication by | Perry Engineering |
| Opened | 14 December 1940 |
The Birkenhead Bridge is a special kind of bridge in Adelaide, Australia. It crosses the Port River. This bridge is known as a bascule bridge, which means it can open up. It lifts a section of the road to let tall boats pass underneath! It connects Birkenhead to Port Adelaide.
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All About the Birkenhead Bridge
The Birkenhead Bridge is an important part of Adelaide's history. It helps people travel across the Port River. It's also a cool example of engineering.
Building a New Bridge
Work on the bridge started in February 1938. A company called Adelaide Construction built it. Another company, Perry Engineering, made the strong steel parts. The bridge officially opened on December 14, 1940. The Governor of South Australia, Malcolm Barclay-Harvey, opened it.
How the Bridge Works
The Birkenhead Bridge is a bascule bridge. This design allows a part of the bridge to swing upwards. This creates space for ships to sail through. When it was built, it was one of only four bascule bridges in the world. It was special because it could also be used by trolleybuses. These were electric buses that got power from overhead wires.
Changes Over Time
The bridge has changed a bit since it was built. In 2014, two of its four road lanes were changed. They became paths for people walking and riding bikes. This made the bridge safer for everyone. In 2020, the timber road deck was planned to be replaced. It would be updated with a strong, new material. The old timber footpath was also set to be replaced with aluminium.
A Special Landmark
The Birkenhead Bridge is more than just a way to cross the river. It is also listed on the South Australian Heritage Register. This means it is an important historical site. It is protected so future generations can enjoy it.
