Crankies Plain Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Crankies Plain Bridge |
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Heritage boundaries
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| Coordinates | 36°53′54″S 149°16′09″E / 36.8982°S 149.2692°E |
| Carries | Main Road |
| Crosses | Coolumbooka River |
| Locale | Bombala, Snowy Monaro Regional Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Owner | Roads and Maritime Services |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | McDonald truss bridge |
| Material | Timber |
| Total length | 46 metres (150 ft) |
| Width | 5 metres (15 ft) |
| Longest span | 11 metres (35 ft) |
| Number of spans | Two |
| History | |
| Architect | John McDonald |
| Constructed by | NSW Public Works Department |
| Construction cost | A£2,964 |
| Opened | 1892 |
| Official name | Crankies Plain Bridge |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 20 June 2000 |
| Reference no. | 1466 |
| Type | Road Bridge |
| Category | Transport - Land |
| Builders | NSW Public Works |
The Crankies Plain Bridge is a very old and special bridge in Bombala, Australia. It helps people cross the Coolumbooka River. This bridge was built way back in 1892 and is known for its unique timber design. It's so important that it's listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. This means it's protected because of its history and special features.
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How the Bridge Was Built
The Crankies Plain Bridge was finished in 1892. It cost about A£2,964 back then. That was a lot of money at the time! The NSW Public Works Department built it. This department was in charge of big building projects for the government. The bridge was designed by a person named John McDonald.
What Makes This Bridge Special
The Crankies Plain Bridge is a type of bridge called a McDonald truss bridge. A truss is a strong framework, usually made of triangles, that helps a bridge hold a lot of weight. This bridge has two main truss sections, each about 23 metres (75 ft) long.
At each end of the bridge, there are also timber girder sections. A girder is a large beam that supports the bridge deck. All parts of the bridge rest on timber piers. These piers have strong poles called piles driven deep into the ground or rock to keep them steady. The bridge is about 5 metres (15 ft) wide where cars drive.
In 2005, experts checked the bridge. They found it was in good condition. It's still used every day by cars and trucks. The Roads and Maritime Services agency takes care of it.
Why This Bridge is Important
The Crankies Plain Bridge is a special part of New South Wales history. It's listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. This means it's recognized as a very important historical site.
A Link to the Past
Timber truss bridges were very common in New South Wales. This was because Australia had lots of strong wood. Also, it was hard to get steel back then. The way these timber bridges were built in New South Wales was very advanced for the time. The McDonald truss design, used for this bridge, was an important step in how these bridges developed.
Beautiful and Smart Design
McDonald truss bridges like this one show off Australian building methods. Their size and the materials used tell us a lot about how things were built in the 1800s. They were considered the best designs available at that time.
Important to the Community
These bridges are also important to the people who live nearby. They are a big part of the local area. They remind people of the history and growth of their community. In March 1998, only seven McDonald truss road bridges were left in New South Wales. The Crankies Plain Bridge is a great example of this special type of bridge.
