Red Bridge (Tasmania) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red Bridge |
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Red Bridge, Tasmania
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| Carries | Motor vehicles and pedestrians |
| Crosses | Elizabeth River |
| Locale | Campbell Town, Tasmania,  Australia |
| Heritage status | Registered |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Arch bridge |
| Material | Brick and Stone |
| Longest span | 7.6 metres (25 ft) |
| Number of spans | 3 |
| History | |
| Designer | James Blackburn |
| Construction begin | 1836 |
| Construction end | July 1838 |
The Red Bridge is a famous old bridge in Tasmania, Australia. It crosses the Elizabeth River in a town called Campbell Town. This special bridge was built a long time ago, between 1836 and 1838.
It is known as the oldest brick arch bridge in all of Australia. It is also the oldest bridge found on any Australian National Highway. The Red Bridge is an important part of Tasmania's history and a busy route for travellers.
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Building the Red Bridge
The Red Bridge was built by convicts, who were people sent to Tasmania as a punishment for crimes. They used red clay bricks that were made right there on the building site. The bridge has a strong base made of stone, with sandstone pillars and tops.
What's really interesting is how it was built. The workers first built the bridge on dry land. After the bridge was finished, the course of the Elizabeth River was changed so that it would flow directly under the new bridge!
Who Designed the Bridge?
The design of the Red Bridge is believed to have been created by James Blackburn. He was an architect who had also been sent to Tasmania as a convict for a crime called forgery. Forgery means making fake copies of things like documents or money.
More than 1,250,000 bricks were used to build this amazing structure. Imagine how much work it took to make all those bricks by hand and then build the bridge!
Bridge Features and Location
The Red Bridge has three arches, which are curved supports that help hold up the bridge. Each of these arches spans about 7.6 m (25 ft) across. The bridge is wide enough for two lanes of traffic, meaning cars can travel in both directions. It also has special walkways for people to cross safely.
This historic bridge is located on the Midland Highway. This highway is a main road that connects the two biggest cities in Tasmania: Hobart and Launceston. The Red Bridge is found almost exactly halfway between these two cities.
How Busy is the Bridge?
The Red Bridge is a very important part of the Midland Highway. Over two million vehicles cross the bridge every year! This shows how vital it is for travel and transport in Tasmania.
A Protected Landmark
Because of its age and unique history, the Red Bridge is a very important landmark. It has been officially listed on the Register of the National Estate since 1978. This means it is a protected heritage site, recognized for its historical and architectural value to Australia.
