Grafton Bridge (New South Wales) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grafton Bridge |
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View of Grafton Bridge from the north bank of the Clarence River, in 2005
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| Coordinates | 29°41′53″S 152°56′32″E / 29.69806°S 152.94222°E |
| Carries |
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| Crosses | Clarence River |
| Locale | Grafton, New South Wales, Australia |
| Maintained by | Roads and Maritime Services |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Bascule truss bridge |
| Material | Steel |
| Pier construction | Concrete |
| Piers in water | 7 |
| Clearance above | 12 metres (38 ft) |
| Clearance below | 3 metres (11 ft) |
| History | |
| Constructed by | NSW Public Works Department |
| Construction begin | 1922 |
| Construction end | 1932 |
| Construction cost | A£500,000 |
| Inaugurated | 19 July 1932 by Sir Isaac Isaacs, Governor-General of Australia |
The Grafton Bridge is a special bridge in Grafton, Australia. It crosses the Clarence River. This bridge is unique because it has two levels. The top level carries a road, and the bottom level carries a railway line. It also carries water pipes and has paths for people to walk on.
This bridge connects the main part of Grafton with South Grafton. It is listed as a heritage site, which means it's an important historical structure. A new bridge, called the New Grafton Bridge, was built next to it in 2019 to help with traffic.
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Bridge History
The idea for a bridge over the Clarence River in Grafton started way back in 1915. At first, people only planned for a railway bridge with a path for walking. But in 1922, they decided to change the design. They wanted the bridge to carry cars and trucks too.
The bridge was built between 1927 and 1932. The New South Wales Public Works Department designed and built it themselves. They decided to do this because private companies wanted too much money for the project. The steel parts for the bridge came from a company called Clyde Engineering.
The Grafton Bridge was officially opened on July 19, 1932. A very important person, Sir Isaac Isaacs, who was the Governor-General of Australia at the time, opened the bridge.
The Original Grafton Bridge
The original Grafton Bridge is quite special because it has two levels. The top level is for road traffic, which is part of Bent Street. The lower level carries the North Coast railway line. This lower level also has a pipe for water supply and footpaths on both sides for people to use.
The bridge was designed to have a second railway track, but this space is now used for the water pipe.
Bascule Span Feature
When the bridge first opened in 1932, it had a moving part called a "bascule span." A bascule bridge is a type of drawbridge that can lift up. This allowed ships to pass through on the Clarence River. However, the bascule span stopped working in 1969. A water pipe was added, which made it impossible to lift the bridge anymore. Also, fewer ships used the river, so there was no longer a need to open it.
Heritage Importance
The Grafton Bridge is very important to the history of New South Wales. It's the only bridge of its kind in the state that carries both road and rail traffic on two different levels. The bridge is a strong reminder of how important trains and roads were for the people of Grafton.
When this bridge opened in 1932, it completed the main railway line between Sydney and Brisbane. This meant trains no longer had to take a long, winding route through Tenterfield.
The bridge is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. This means it's a rare and important part of the state's history. It's special because it's a unique design and played a big role in connecting different parts of Australia.
The New Grafton Bridge
Because the original Grafton Bridge became very busy with traffic, a new bridge was built next to it. This new bridge is called the New Grafton Bridge. Construction started in November 2016, and it opened on December 12, 2019.
The new bridge has two lanes for traffic. It was designed so that more lanes can be added later if traffic levels get even higher. The New Grafton Bridge also has a separate path for walking and cycling, making it safer for pedestrians and bike riders.
Images for kids
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Grafton Bridge showing Bascule span lifted to let shipping through; c. 1932
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Historic timber viaduct remains
