Dunmore Bridge facts for kids

The Dunmore Bridge is a special road bridge in Woodville, Australia. It carries Clarence Town Road over the Paterson River. This bridge is very old and important. It was designed by a famous engineer named Percy Allan. The bridge was built in 1899. It is now a heritage-listed site. This means it is protected because of its historical value.

Bridge History

Early Timber Bridges

For a long time, timber bridges were very important in New South Wales. They helped connect towns and farms. Before these bridges, crossing rivers was hard and often dangerous. Especially when it rained, rivers could flood. This made it very expensive to move farm goods. Only valuable items like wool could be transported easily.

The government preferred timber bridges. They were cheaper to build. Also, they used mostly local materials. This was important because money was tight back then. Importing iron and steel from England was very costly. So, timber bridges became the best choice.

Allan Truss Design

The Allan truss was a big step forward in bridge design. It was the first timber bridge design based on science. It also used ideas from America. This showed that people in New South Wales were open to new ideas. The Allan truss was strong and affordable. It helped timber bridges stay popular for about 30 years.

Percy Allan was the brilliant engineer who designed the Allan truss. He worked for the Public Works Department. He was a very important person in New South Wales in the late 1800s. Because of all these timber bridges, New South Wales was even called the "timber bridge state."

Building the Dunmore Bridge

The Dunmore Bridge was built in 1899. A builder named S. McGill constructed it. The cost was about A£12,433. J. Ferguson oversaw the work. This new bridge replaced an older one from 1863. The old bridge was damaged by a flood in 1895. It was also rotting and eaten by insects. So, a new bridge was definitely needed.

S. McGill also built other bridges nearby. These include the Morpeth Bridge and the Hinton Bridge. The new Dunmore Bridge opened on 15 December 1899. A local politician, Walter Bennett, officially opened it.

The bridge used to have a special part that could lift up. This allowed boats to pass underneath. But this lifting part has since been removed. In 2013, the timber parts of the bridge were replaced. They used the same design but with stronger materials. Steel replaced the old iron parts. A strong timber called blackbutt was used instead of grey ironbark.

Bridge Features

The Dunmore Bridge is an Allan type timber truss road bridge. It has three main timber sections, called spans. These spans are about 34 meters long each. It also had a special steel section that could lift up. This lift span was about 17.8 meters long. There is also a short section at each end. This makes the total length of the bridge about 130.5 meters.

The bridge has a height limit of 4.6 meters. This is because of the overhead beams. These beams connect the top parts of the trusses. The main parts of the bridge sit on strong cast iron pillars. These pillars are called piers.

The bridge has one lane for cars. It is about 4.3 meters wide. There is also a footpath for people to walk on. A metal guardrail protects cars. A timber fence protects people on the footpath. The lifting part of the bridge no longer works. Its ropes and weights were removed.

The bridge has been kept in good shape. It was reported to be in good condition in 2005.

Heritage Importance

The Dunmore Bridge is very important for several reasons. It was finished in 1899. It is a great example of an Allan truss road bridge. It is one of only three such bridges left in New South Wales.

The bridge also had a rare lift span. This feature is very special. It shows how engineers built things in the late 1800s. Most of its original parts are still there. The bridge is in good condition. It connects to many important historical events. These include the growth of roads in New South Wales. It also links to its designer, Percy Allan.

Allan trusses were a big improvement in bridge design. They were cheaper to build than older designs. They could also carry more weight. And they were easier to look after.

People who live near the bridge really value it. This shows its social importance. The Hunter region, where the bridge is, has many old bridges. This adds to its heritage value. In 1998, 38 Allan trusses were still standing. Over 100 had been built. The Dunmore Bridge is a rare and important example. It is considered nationally important. This is because of its history and engineering.

The Dunmore Bridge was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 20 June 2000. It met several important rules to be listed.

Historical Significance

The bridge shows how the road network grew in New South Wales. It also shows how people started to accept American design ideas. Its connection to Percy Allan also makes it historically important.

Design and Beauty

The bridge shows excellent design. You can clearly see all its structural parts. It also looks very nice in its natural setting. This gives the bridge good aesthetic value.

Community Connection

Timber truss bridges are well-known to people who travel by road. New South Wales was once called the "timber truss bridge state." Many travelers respect these bridges. The people of the Hunter region especially value the Dunmore Bridge.

Rarity and Uniqueness

This bridge is very rare. It is one of the few bridges that combines an overhead Allan truss with a lift span.

Representative Example

The Dunmore Bridge is a great example of an overhead braced Allan truss. In 1998, 38 Allan trusses were still standing. Over 400 timber truss road bridges were built in total. About 82 of them still exist today.