Railway Square road overbridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Railway Square road overbridge |
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The overbridge under George, Lee and Regent Streets, and Railway Square, Sydney
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| Coordinates | 33°53′02″S 151°12′12″E / 33.8840°S 151.2032°E |
| Carries |
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| Crosses | Darling Harbour goods railway line (former) |
| Locale | Railway Square, Sydney central business district, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Owner | Transport Asset Holding Entity |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Arched overbridge |
| Material | Sydney sandstone, brick, concrete |
| Width |
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| History | |
| Constructed by | Sydney Railway Company |
| Opened | 1855 |
| Official name: Railway Square road overbridge | |
| Type: | State heritage (built) |
| Designated: | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference #: | 1232 |
| Type: | Railway Bridge/ Viaduct |
| Category: | Transport - Rail |
The Railway Square road overbridge is a very old bridge in Sydney, Australia. It's special because it's one of the oldest railway structures in New South Wales. This bridge used to carry busy streets like George, Lee, and Regent Streets over a railway line. This line was used to move goods from Darling Harbour to other parts of the state. Today, part of the old railway line under the bridge has become a walking path called The Goods Line.
Contents
History
A Bridge from the Past
The Railway Square overbridge first opened on 26 September 1855. This was the same day the very first passenger train line in Sydney began, connecting Sydney to Parramatta. The bridge was built over a special railway line for goods. This line connected the Sydney railway yard to the Darling Harbour wharves, where ships loaded and unloaded cargo.
The bridge was designed by an engineer named William Randle. It was a big step for New South Wales, showing how railways could move both people and goods. Being able to easily move goods from farms and factories to ships at Darling Harbour helped trade grow a lot.
Changes Over Time
The company that first built the railway, the Sydney Railway Company, was taken over by the government in 1854. This happened because they didn't have enough money to finish the project. The original parts of the Railway Square overbridge are the oldest railway structures still standing in New South Wales. They are also some of the last big things built by the Sydney Railway Company.
Over the years, the area under the bridge became more like a tunnel as more sections were added. In 1956, the railway lines were electrified, meaning trains could run on electricity.
The goods railway line under the bridge was closed in 1986. This was because the Darling Harbour area was being changed into a place for entertainment and conferences. The last trains stopped using the tunnel around 2005. This marked the end of 150 years of railway use for the Railway Square overbridge.
After the railway closed, part of the old line was turned into a walking path. In 2012, this path was officially named The Goods Line, and it's now a popular place for people to walk and cycle.
Design and Construction
How the Bridge Was Built
The first part of the overbridge was built using Sydney sandstone. It had an arch shape, which is very strong. This first section was about 7.55 metres (24.8 feet) wide and 18.3 metres (60 feet) long. The middle of the arch was 5 metres (16.4 feet) above the railway tracks. The Sydney Railway Company built it, and William Randle was in charge of the construction.
Over time, the bridge was made wider and longer. The first additions used sandstone walls with brick arched ceilings. Later parts were built with brick and concrete. This shows how building methods changed over the years. For example, in the 1880s, the bridge was made much wider to the west. Around 1909, it was extended to the east when a new street, Lee Street, was built.
Current Condition
Today, the original bridge and the tunnel sections are in good condition. You can still see the sandstone and brickwork. Some parts of the brick arches are now supported by strong steel frames. This helps them hold the weight of the busy roads above. The sandstone ceilings inside the tunnel are still blackened from the soot and steam of the old steam trains, which is a cool reminder of the past!
Why This Bridge Is Important
The Railway Square overbridge is very important to the history of New South Wales. It's the oldest railway structure still standing in the state. It shows us what the very first railways in NSW looked like. It also connects us directly to the early days of the Darling Harbour goods yard, which was a vital part of trade.
The bridge is also linked to William Randle, who was one of the first engineers to build railways in NSW. The different parts of the bridge, built at different times, show how railway engineering changed over 150 years. It's a rare and special example of how railways first started in Australia.
Heritage Listing
The Railway Square road overbridge was officially added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. This means it's protected because of its historical importance.
Gallery
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The south eastern entrance to the overbridge, under the building at 26 Lee Street.
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Looking from west to south-east, across George Street, with the overbridge below.
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North-western exit of the underbridge, with the pedestrian walkway to the left.
