Edith Cavell Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Edith Cavell Bridge |
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November 2012 view of the Edith Cavell Bridge over the Shotover River
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| Coordinates | 44°59′17.9″S 168°40′18.8″E / 44.988306°S 168.671889°E |
| Carries | road traffic |
| Crosses | Shotover River |
| Locale | near Queenstown, New Zealand |
| Named for | Edith Cavell |
| Owner | Queenstown-Lakes District |
| Heritage status | Heritage New Zealand Category I |
| ID number | 4371 |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Parabolic rib arch |
| Material | Reinforced concrete |
| Number of spans | one |
| History | |
| Designer | Frederick Furkert |
| Constructed by | Steve Auburn |
| Construction begin | 1 November 1917 |
| Construction end | 13 February 1919 |
| Construction cost | £8,000 |
| Opened | 13 February 1919 |
The Edith Cavell Bridge is a famous bridge in New Zealand. It crosses the beautiful Shotover River. This bridge is in the Otago region, on the South Island. It stands about 47.8 meters (157 feet) tall. The bridge is very important to New Zealand's history. It is listed as a Category I heritage structure by Heritage New Zealand. This means it is a special historical place.
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Where is the Edith Cavell Bridge?
The Edith Cavell Bridge is located at Arthurs Point. This spot is between the towns of Queenstown and Arrowtown. The bridge is a single-lane road bridge. It stretches across the Shotover River. You can find it right next to the popular Shotover Jet tourist ride. Many people take photos of this bridge because of its scenic location.
How Was the Bridge Built?
The design for the Edith Cavell Bridge was created by Frederick Furkert. He was an engineer for the Public Works Department. The bridge uses a special design called a parabolic rib arch truss. This was only the second bridge of its kind in New Zealand. The first one was the Grafton Bridge in Auckland.
Construction Details
The bridge was built using concrete and steel. Construction started on November 1, 1917. It was finished on February 13, 1919. Steve Aburn was the builder for this project. The total cost to build the bridge was over £8,000. In April 2016, a small part of the bridge's rock wall was damaged. This happened when a driver lost control of their car.
Why is it Called Edith Cavell Bridge?
The area around the bridge was once a busy route for gold miners. An old miner named Jack (John) Clark lived nearby. He had a small hut overlooking the bridge. Jack decided to name the bridge "The Edith Cavell Bridge".
Who Was Edith Cavell?
Edith Cavell was a brave nurse. She helped many wounded soldiers during the First World War. She helped Allied soldiers escape from Belgium, which was occupied during the war. Sadly, she lost her life because of her actions.
Naming the Bridge
Jack Clark's idea for the name was not popular with everyone at first. The local council wanted to name it Cooper's Crossing. This was after the mayor at the time, Warren Cooper. But Jack Clark was determined. He painted "To Cavell Bridge" on a sign leading to the bridge. He also painted "Edith Cavell Bridge" right on the bridge itself. In the end, his chosen name stuck, and it is still known as the Edith Cavell Bridge today.
