Denison Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Denison Bridge |
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Denison Bridge, Bathurst
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| Coordinates | 33°25′02″S 149°35′31″E / 33.4172°S 149.5920°E |
| Carries |
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| Crosses | Macquarie River |
| Locale | Bathurst, New South Wales |
| Named for | Sir William Denison |
| Maintained by | Bathurst Regional Council |
| Preceded by | Bridge (1856-1867) |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Truss bridge |
| Material | Steel |
| Total length | 142.7 metres (468 ft) |
| Width | 6.1 metres (20 ft) |
| Longest span | 34.5 metres (113 ft) |
| Number of spans | 9:
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| Piers in water | 2 |
| History | |
| Designer |
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| Constructed by | Peter Nicol Russell |
| Construction begin | 1869 |
| Construction end | 1870 |
| Closed | early 1990s (to road traffic) |
| Official name | Denison Bridge |
| Type | Historic |
| Designated | 21 March 1978 |
| Reference no. | 15953 |
| Official name | Denison Bridge |
| Type | Built |
| Criteria | a., b., c., d., e., f., g. |
| Designated | 1 August 2003 |
| Reference no. | 01665 |
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The Denison Bridge is a special footbridge in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia. It crosses the Macquarie River and is a very old metal truss bridge. In fact, it's the fourth oldest metal truss bridge still standing in Australia!
This bridge was finished in 1870. It replaced an older bridge that was washed away by floods in 1867. For over 120 years, the Denison Bridge carried the busy Great Western Highway across the river. Today, it's only used by people walking or cycling.
Contents
Building the Denison Bridge
For a long time, people in Bathurst needed a good bridge over the Macquarie River. Before 1856, they had to use a ford or a ferry.
The First Bridge (1856-1867)
The first bridge was made of timber and opened on January 1, 1856. It was named the Denison Bridge after the Governor, Sir William Denison. People celebrated with a big party! This bridge was designed by the Colonial Architect's Department.
Sadly, this first bridge didn't last long. A huge flood in 1867 destroyed it. The flood also took out another nearby bridge. This meant Bathurst was back to using ferries or fords. A temporary wooden bridge was put up, but it wasn't safe and closed in 1868. Everyone agreed a strong, permanent bridge was needed quickly.
Designing the New Bridge
The new Denison Bridge was designed by Gustavus Alphonse Morrell. He was an Assistant Engineer for the Department of Roads. William Christopher Bennett, the Commissioner for Roads, also signed the plans.
The bridge was built between 1869 and 1870. The company P. N. Russell & Co did the work. Many parts, like angle irons and bars, were made right there in Australia. Some were even made in Bathurst. Only very heavy iron plates had to be imported.
Opening the Second Denison Bridge
The new bridge opened in June 1870. The Governor at that time, the Earl of Belmore, opened it. Even though Governor Denison had left, the bridge kept his name.
For over 120 years, the Denison Bridge was a vital road bridge. It helped people and goods travel between Sydney and the western parts of New South Wales. In the early 1990s, a new bridge, the Evans Bridge, was built nearby. The Denison Bridge was then changed to be only for pedestrians.
What Does the Denison Bridge Look Like?
The Denison Bridge is an early metal truss bridge. It's about 143.5 meters (474 feet) long. It has nine sections, called spans. Three sections are timber, then there are three main sections made of wrought iron (a type of strong iron), and then three more timber sections.
The main parts of the bridge are called "Pratt type" trusses. A Pratt truss is a special way of arranging metal bars to make a strong, light bridge. The bridge also has four lamp posts, two at each end. In the middle, there are signs, including one that says "DENISON BRIDGE P. N.RUSSELL & Co. BUILDERS - SYDNEY 1870".
The bridge is still in good shape today. It shows how clever engineers were back then. It was a very advanced design for its time.
Why is the Denison Bridge Important?
The Denison Bridge is important for many reasons:
- It's one of the oldest metal truss bridges in Australia. It's the second oldest in New South Wales.
- It shows how engineering and bridge building improved over time. The way it was built helped solve problems with strong forces on the bridge.
- It played a big part in the history of Bathurst and the Central West region. It helped people and goods move easily.
- It's connected to important engineers like Gustavus Alphonse Morrell and Peter Nicol Russell.
- It's a well-known landmark in Bathurst and is recognized for its history and engineering.
The Denison Bridge is a great example of early Australian engineering. It's a reminder of how important bridges are for connecting communities.
Engineering Heritage
The Denison Bridge has been given a special award called a Historic Engineering Marker. This award is from Engineers Australia, which is a group that recognizes important engineering achievements.
Images for kids
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Denison Bridge, Bathurst
