Tooleybuc Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tooleybuc Bridge |
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A road train crosses the bridge in 2012
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| Coordinates | 35°01′50″S 143°20′07″E / 35.0305°S 143.3353°E |
| Carries | Tooleybuc Road
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| Crosses | Murray River |
| Locale | Tooleybuc, Murray River Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Other name(s) | Tooleybuc Bridge over Murray River |
| Owner | NSW Roads and Maritime Services |
| Preceded by | Nyah Bridge |
| Followed by | Robinvale-Euston Bridge |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Allan truss with lift-span |
| Material | Timber and steel |
| Trough construction | Timber |
| Pier construction | Concrete and steel |
| Longest span | 17.8-metre (58 ft) |
| Number of spans | 3 |
| Clearance above | 8.5 metres (28 ft) flood level |
| History | |
| Engineering design by | Percy Allan |
| Constructed by | NSW Department of Public Works |
| Construction end | December 1924 |
| Construction cost | A£28,795 |
| Inaugurated | 27 February 1925 by Mrs F. E. Old |
| Replaces | Vehicular punt (c. 1870s-1925) |
| Official name: Tooleybuc Bridge over Murray River | |
| Type: | State heritage (built) |
| Designated: | 20 June 2000 |
| Reference #: | 1482 |
| Type: | Road Bridge |
| Category: | Transport - Land |
| Builders: | NSW Department of Public Works |
| Official name: Tooleybuc Bridge | |
| Type: | Registered place |
| Designated: | 10 July 2008 |
| Reference #: | 1482 |
| Type: | Road Bridge |
| Category: | Transport - Road |
The Tooleybuc Bridge is a special road bridge that crosses the Murray River in Tooleybuc, New South Wales, Australia. It was built in 1925. This bridge is important because it is listed on two different heritage registers. This means it is protected for its historical value in both New South Wales and Victoria. The bridge is also known as the Tooleybuc Bridge over Murray River.
Bridge History
Early Days of Tooleybuc
Tooleybuc is located in an area that used to be a large plain with saltbush plants. This area was formed by floods from the Murray and Darling rivers. The saltbush was good food for animals. By 1847, most of the land along the Murray River here was already being used.
The Tooleybuc area was once part of a huge sheep farm called Puon Buon. This farm was owned by different people over the years. In the late 1800s, one owner, J. Lawrence, had 50,000 sheep there! The area had many lakes, which helped support so many animals.
From Farm to Fruit Orchards
Before World War I, the large farm was divided into smaller pieces of land. This helped the town of Tooleybuc grow. People started growing a lot of fruit in the area. Fruit farming became the main way to earn money.
In the 1800s, river steamers were very important for moving wool. It was also important to have easy ways to cross the river. By the 1870s, a vehicular punt (a type of boat that carries vehicles) was used to cross the river. There was even a hotel nearby on the New South Wales side.
Building the Bridge
Fruit growers needed a better way to get their produce across the river. So, in 1925, the current bridge was built. It was placed just upstream from where the old punt used to be. The NSW Department of Public Works built the bridge.
The bridge was designed by a famous engineer named Percy Allan. This was the last lift-span bridge he designed. A lift-span bridge has a section that can be raised to let tall boats pass underneath.
Bridge Design and Structure
The Tooleybuc Bridge has only one lane for traffic. It is made of timber and steel. The main part of the bridge runs north-south across the Murray River.
Main Sections of the Bridge
The bridge has three main spans (sections). One of these is the special lift span. These spans are supported by strong concrete piers (columns). On the New South Wales side, there are no extra sections leading up to the bridge. But on the Victorian side, there are three shorter sections that lead up to the main bridge.
The two main sections of the bridge are 21.8 metres (72 ft) long. They use a design called an Allan truss. A truss is a framework of beams that makes the bridge strong. These trusses hold up timber cross girders and steel beams. The bridge deck, where cars drive, is made of timber.
The Lift Span
The lift span is 17.8-metre (58 ft) long. It is made of strong, riveted lattice steel. This section can be lifted up. It used to be operated differently, but now it uses a hydraulic system. The deck of the lift span is also made of timber on steel beams.
The concrete piers that support the main spans look a bit like older bridges. They are protected by special barriers to keep them safe in the water.
Approach Sections
The sections leading up to the main bridge on the Victorian side are made of timber beams. Two of these sections are 9.1 metres (30 ft) long, and one is 7.3 metres (24 ft) long. They are supported by timber trestles (frames).
The bridge does not have a separate path for people to walk on. It has a timber handrail, except on the lift span, which has a pipe handrail. The bridge deck is 8.5 metres (28 ft) above flood level.
Bridge Condition
As of June 2005, the Tooleybuc Bridge was in good condition. It had been well-maintained over the years.
Future of the Bridge
In May 2016, plans were made for a new, higher bridge to replace the Tooleybuc Bridge. This new bridge would be about 250-metre-long (820 ft) and built downstream from the current one. The new bridge would also change the route of the Mallee Highway (B12) to go around the town center of Tooleybuc.
However, in November 2019, the NSW Roads and Maritime Services announced a change of plans. The existing Tooleybuc Bridge, which is a heritage site, will now be kept and looked after. It will be repaired and strengthened to make sure it stays safe and useful for the local community.
Why the Bridge is Special
The Tooleybuc Bridge is listed on both the New South Wales State Heritage Register (since June 2000) and the Victorian Heritage Register (since July 2008). This means it's considered very important for several reasons:
Historical Importance
The Tooleybuc Bridge is one of only two bridges on the Murray River that still have Allan truss spans or Allan-designed lift spans. The other is the Swan Hill bridge. The Swan Hill bridge was the first of its kind, and the Tooleybuc bridge was the last. This connection to Percy Allan makes the bridge historically important for the region. It also shows how river travel changed over time.
Beautiful Design and Engineering
The Tooleybuc Bridge is beautiful because of its location and size. It stands out in the town and acts like a gateway between Victoria and New South Wales. The bridge is a main feature of the river valley, where people enjoy many activities.
The bridge is also important for its smart design and how it was built. It was the last in a series of bridges over the Murray River that had special central lift spans and new truss designs. This shows how advanced engineering was at the time.
Community Connection
The Tooleybuc Bridge is very important to the towns nearby. It is the main way to cross the Murray River, which is a big barrier. The bridge is a key point for transport and the only way to travel directly between New South Wales and Victoria in this area. It has also played a big role in helping trade happen between the two states.
