Burwood rail underbridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Burwood rail underbridge |
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Part of the underbridge, pictured top of image, August 2007
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| Coordinates | 33°52′38″S 151°06′14″E / 33.8771°S 151.1038°E |
| Carries | Burwood Road |
| Crosses |
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| Locale | Burwood, Municipality of Burwood, New South Wales, Australia |
| Owner | RailCorp |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Triple-plate web girder underbridge |
| Material | Wrought iron and steel |
| Trough construction | Concrete |
| Number of spans | 1 |
| History | |
| Constructed by | John Ahern |
| Construction begin | 1892 |
| Construction end | 1926 |
| Official name: Burwood rail underbridge | |
| Type: | State heritage (built) |
| Designated: | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference #: | 1030 |
| Type: | Railway Bridge/ Viaduct |
| Category: | Transport - Rail |
| Builders: | John Ahern |
The Burwood rail underbridge is a special bridge in Burwood, Sydney, Australia. It carries the busy Main Southern and Main Western railway lines over Burwood Road. This bridge is called an "underbridge" because the road goes under the railway tracks.
It was built in different stages by John Ahern, starting in 1892 and finished in 1926. The bridge is owned by RailCorp, a government agency in New South Wales. It is also listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register, which means it's an important historical structure.
Contents
How the Bridge is Built
The Burwood rail underbridge is a single-span bridge, about 21.9 meters (72 feet) long. It's made from metal, using a design called a "half-through plate web girder". A girder is a large beam that supports the bridge.
This bridge is unique because it uses three main girders instead of the usual two. The two outer girders were built in 1892 using wrought iron, which is a very strong type of iron. The middle girder was added in 1926 and is made of steel. This mix of old and new materials makes the bridge interesting.
The tracks sit on a concrete deck, which is like a strong platform. This deck is supported by smaller beams called cross girders. You can even see the original builder's plate on the north side of the bridge, which says "John Ahern 1892 Govt Contract".
Bridge Condition
As of 2006, the Burwood rail underbridge was in good physical condition. This means it was well-maintained and strong.
Why This Bridge is Special
The Burwood rail underbridge is considered a very important historical site. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 1999. This listing means it has special value because of its history and design.
Important for History
The builder's plate on the bridge, showing "John Ahern 1892 Govt. Contractor", is quite rare to find. It helps us understand the history of bridge building in New South Wales.
A Rare Design
This bridge is a "triple-girder" type, which means it has three main support beams. This design is not very common. There are only a few other bridges like it in the area. For example, there's one over Ultimo Road that was built even earlier, in 1879.
Shows Bridge Characteristics
Most railway bridges use two parallel girders. The Burwood rail underbridge is a great example of the less common triple-girder design. It helps us understand different ways engineers built bridges in the past.
Gallery
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Inscription on underbridge: "John Ahearn 1892 Govt. Contractor"
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View of the underbridge crossing Burwood Rd, Burwood, NSW
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View of the underbridge crossing Burwood Rd, Burwood, NSW
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Entrance to Burwood Railway Station, situated between 2 of the bridge spans
