Rossi Bridge over Wollondilly River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rossi Bridge over Wollondilly River |
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| Coordinates | 34°44′01″S 149°40′41″E / 34.7336°S 149.6780°E |
| Carries | Range Road |
| Crosses | Wollondilly River |
| Locale | Goulburn, Goulburn Mulwaree Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Other name(s) | Rossi's Crossing |
| Owner | Roads and Maritime Services |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Allan truss |
| Material | Timber |
| Pier construction | Granite |
| Total length | 106.1 metres (348 ft) |
| Longest span | 27.4 metres (90 ft) |
| Number of spans | 5 |
| Piers in water | 4 |
| History | |
| Fabrication by | J. J. Taylor and H. F. Littleproud |
| Construction end | 1899 |
| Construction cost | A£2,545 17s 5d |
| Replaces | An earlier bridge (details unknown) |
| Official name: Rossi Bridge over Wollondilly River | |
| Type: | State heritage (built) |
| Designated: | 20 June 2000 |
| Reference #: | 01479 |
| Type: | Road Bridge |
| Category: | Transport - Land |
The Rossi Bridge over Wollondilly River is a special road bridge in Goulburn, Australia. It helps people cross the Wollondilly River on Range Road. This bridge is owned by Roads and Maritime Services, a government agency in New South Wales. It's also known by another name, Rossi's Crossing. The bridge is so important that it was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on June 20, 2000. This means it's a protected historical site.
History of Rossi Bridge
Before the bridge, people crossed the Wollondilly River at a spot called Rossi's Crossing. This was a "ford," which is a shallow place in a river where you can walk or drive across. It was used by locals to travel northwest from Goulburn towards places like Wheeo and Crookwell. The crossing was near the estate of F. R. L. Rossi, a well-known person in the area.
A bridge was built here at some point, but it often needed repairs. Records show it needed fixing in 1873, 1887, and again in 1893.
Finally, in 1898, plans were made for a brand new bridge. The construction of the new bridge over the Wollondilly River at Rossi's Crossing happened between 1898 and 1899. The builders were J. J. Taylor and H. F. Littleproud from Bega. They built the bridge for a cost of about A£2,545.
What Makes Rossi Bridge Special?
The Rossi Bridge is a great example of an "Allan truss" bridge. An "Allan truss" is a special way of designing a bridge using a pattern of triangles. This design was created in 1893 and was used for many years.
This bridge has some cool design features. It uses metal rods that can be adjusted to keep the bridge strong and straight. The wooden parts are also designed in a special way to fit together. What makes this bridge really unique are its strong granite supports, called "piers," and the end parts, called "abutments." These stone parts might even be older, possibly from around 1860.
The Rossi Bridge is a large and impressive example of a timber (wooden) truss bridge. It's quite rare to see a bridge like this supported by such elegant stone piers in New South Wales. The way the wooden structure and the stone piers fit together makes the bridge look beautiful in the natural landscape. Its design and size show how important it is from a technology point of view.
Why is Rossi Bridge Important?
The Rossi Bridge over the Wollondilly River is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. This happened on June 20, 2000. Being "heritage-listed" means the bridge is considered very important because of its history, design, and how it fits into the local area. It is protected so future generations can learn from and enjoy it.
