Angle Vale Bridge

Last updated

Angle Vale Bridge
Angle Vale Bridge South Australia.jpg
Angle Vale Bridge
Coordinates 34°37′50″S138°38′45″E / 34.630677°S 138.645846°E / -34.630677; 138.645846
Carried Motor vehicles
Crossed Gawler River
LocaleHeaslip Road, Angle Vale, South Australia, Australia
Characteristics
Design Deck arch bridge
Material Sandstone timber
Width5 metres (18 ft)
Longest span26 metres (85 ft)
No. of spans1
History
Designer Charles Francis Godfrey Ashwin
Construction end1876 (1876)
Collapsed25 May 2023
Closed1966 (1966)
Official nameAngle Vale Bridge [Laminated Timber Arch]; Old Bridge
TypeREG - Confirmed
Designated24 July 1980
Reference no.13324
Polygon typeB - Building footprint
Subject indexTransport (Road) - Road Bridge
Location
Angle Vale Bridge

Angle Vale Bridge was a laminated timber deck arch bridge erected in 1876 over the Gawler River on Heaslip Road, Angle Vale, South Australia. It was the only surviving bridge of its type in Australia in 2023. [1] The bridge was listed on the South Australian Heritage Register on 24 July 1980. [2] The bridge collapsed on 25 May 2023 as a result of heavy rainfall. [3]

Contents

Description

The bridge consisted of sandstone abutments and wing walls, with four laminated timber arch ribs of 26 metres (85 ft) span, set in cast iron sockets and supporting a timber deck carrying a roadway 5 metres (18 ft) wide. The bridge was opened by the on Wednesday 22 November 1876 by Commissioner of Public Works Hon. J. Colton with Miss Heaslip taking the honour of cutting the ribbon. [4]

History

Laminated timber arch bridges were constructed in Australia on British and American designs from 1853. [5] However, few survived due to the poor preservation of Australian timbers The first bridges of this type in South Australia were built in 1856 using both imported softwood and local hardwood and incorporated horizontally laminated bent timbers bolted at regular intervals. However the arches only had a service life of only 12 to 16 years due to water penetrating between the laminations causing the timber to quickly rot. An improvement was made by laminating the timbers vertically and capping the tops to prevent water ingress. [1]

Tenders were called for erecting the Angle Vale Bridge on Wednesday 2 February 1876 closing on 21 February. The bridge was designed by Charles Francis Godfrey Ashwin C.E., Superintending Surveyor of the Northern District of the South Australia Central Road Board. the construction contract was won by Messrs Hack and Parker, while J.C. Brodie was the Clerk of Works. The bridge was completed in less than nine months and opened on Wednesday 22 November 1876. Ashwin was born in 1816 and appointed draftsman to the Central Road Board in 1855. He was promoted as Surveyor (engineer) on 11 March 1861. He died while returning to England on 29 April 1878. [1]

The bridge was bypassed in 1966, and deteriorated before an extensive restoration program was carried out in 1988. [6]

In 2008, its engineering heritage was recognized by the installation of a marker provided by the Engineers Australia's Engineering Heritage Recognition Program. [7]

On 25 May 2023, only days before a scheduled engineering inspection was to take place, the bridge collapsed into the Gawler river resulting in severe damage. [8] the timbers of the bridge were recovered and an assessment of their condition and the potential restoration carried out. [9]

Comparisons

Only two other early laminated timber arch bridges are known in Australia, the 1873 Old Currency Creek Road Bridge off Goolwa - Strathalbyn Road which has been modified by the installation of riveted iron girders, [10] and the 1863 Sunnyhill Bridge, which was inundated by the flooding of Millbrook Reservoir. [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gladesville Bridge</span> Bridge in Sydney, Australia

Gladesville Bridge is a heritage-listed concrete arch road bridge that carries Victoria Road over the Parramatta River, linking the Sydney suburbs of Huntleys Point and Drummoyne, in the local government areas of Canada Bay and Hunter's Hill, in New South Wales, Australia. Despite its name, the bridge is not in Gladesville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gawler</span> Town in South Australia

Gawler is the oldest country town on the Australian mainland in the state of South Australia. It was named after the second Governor of the colony of South Australia, George Gawler. It is about 40–44 km (25–27 mi) north of the state capital, Adelaide, and is close to the major wine producing district of the Barossa Valley. Topographically, Gawler lies at the confluence of two tributaries of the Gawler River, the North and South Para rivers, where they emerge from a range of low hills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hampden Bridge, Kangaroo Valley</span> Bridge in New South Wales, Australia

Hampden Bridge is a heritage-listed single-span suspension bridge that carries Moss Vale Road (B73) across the Kangaroo River, in Kangaroo Valley, in the City of Shoalhaven local government area of New South Wales, Australia. The bridge was designed by Ernest de Burgh and built by Loveridge and Hudson. The property is owned by Transport for NSW. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 August 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern Expressway</span> Freeway in Adelaide, South Australia

Northern Expressway, also known as the Fatchen Northern Expressway, is a 21 kilometre long controlled-access highway in Adelaide, South Australia. Since March 2020, the North–South Motorway continues west of Port Wakefield Highway and intersects the Port River Expressway to reach the harbour at Port Adelaide. These are the northernmost two parts of the North–South Corridor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gawler River (South Australia)</span> River in South Australia

The Gawler River is a river located in the Adelaide Plains district of the Mid North region in the Australian state of South Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denison Bridge</span> Bridge in Bathurst, New South Wales

The Denison Bridge is a heritage-listed footbridge over the Macquarie River in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia. It is the fourth oldest metal truss bridge existing in Australia.

Hillier is a northern suburb of Adelaide, South Australia. It is located in the Town of Gawler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angle Vale</span> Town in South Australia

Angle Vale is a semi-rural town on the Adelaide Plains between Gawler and Virginia in South Australia. It is steadily being surrounded by Adelaide's suburban sprawl. It is close to many vineyards and farms. The town includes Trinity College's Gawler River campus, Angle Vale Primary School and Riverbanks College. Some students travel to nearby towns or to Gawler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Evanston Gardens, South Australia</span> Suburb of Adelaide, South Australia

Evanston Gardens is an outer northern suburb of Adelaide, South Australia. It is located in the Town of Gawler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nepean River railway bridge, Menangle</span> Bridge in New South Wales, Australia

The Nepean River railway bridge is a heritage-listed railway bridge that carries the Main Southern railway line across Menangle Road and the Nepean River located at the outer south-western Sydney settlement of Menangle in the Wollondilly Shire local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by John Whitton as the Engineer-in-Chief, of the New South Wales Government Railways and NSW Department of Public Works. The railway bridge was built in 1863 by Messers Peto, Brassey and Betts. It is also known as Menangle rail bridge over Nepean River and Menangle Railway Bridge. The property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bethanga Bridge</span> Bridge in Victoria, Australia

The Bethanga Bridge is a steel truss road bridge that carries the Riverina Highway across Lake Hume, an artificial lake on the Murray River in Australia. The dual heritage-listed bridge crosses the border between the Australian states of New South Wales and Victoria, linking the Victorian towns of Bellbridge and Bethanga with the regional New South Wales city of Albury.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnston Street Bridge</span> Bridge across the Yarra River in Melbourne, Australia

Johnston Street Bridge is a concrete road bridge crossing the Yarra River between the Melbourne suburbs of Abbotsford and Kew.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hamley Bridge–Gladstone railway line</span> Former railway line in South Australia

The Hamley Bridge–Gladstone railway line was a railway line on the South Australian Railways network. It extended from a junction at Hamley Bridge on the Roseworthy-Peterborough line through Balaklava and Brinkworth to Gladstone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Macdonald River railway bridge, Woolbrook</span> Heritage listed railway bridge in New South Wales

The Macdonald River railway bridge is a heritage-listed railway bridge that carries the Main Northern Line across the Macdonald River located in Woolbrook, in the Walcha Shire, New South Wales, Australia. The railway bridge was designed by John Whitton as the Engineer-in-Chief for the New South Wales Government Railways and built during 1882 by J. S. Bennett, with iron work by J. & C. Brettell, Worcester, England. The railway bridge is also known as the Woolbrook rail bridge over the Macdonald River and the Woolbrook Lattice Railway Bridge. The bridge and adjacent infrastructure is owned by Transport Asset Holding Entity, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. The bridge was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999 and was added to the Register of the National Estate on 18 April 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Macquarie River railway bridge, Bathurst</span> Bridge in New South Wales, Australia

The Macquarie River railway bridge is a heritage-listed disused railway bridge across the Macquarie River that was previously located on the Main Western line in Bathurst in the Bathurst Region local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was built in 1876. It is also known as Bathurst Rail Bridge over Macquarie River and Bathurst – Kelso Railway Bridge. The property is owned by Transport Asset Holding Entity, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. The bridge was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999 and was added to the Register of the National Estate on 18 April 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Macquarie River railway bridge, Dubbo</span> Bridge in New South Wales, Australia

The Dubbo rail bridge over Macquarie River – Wambuul is a heritage-listed railway bridge on the Main Western line across the Macquarie River, located west of the Dubbo central business district in New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by John Whitton as the Engineer-in-Chief for the New South Wales Government Railways. The bridge was built during 1884 by Benjamin Barnes, with ironwork by Cochrane & Co, Middlesborough, England. The railway bridge is also known as the Dubbo Lattice Railway Bridge. The property is owned by Transport Asset Holding Entity, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. The bridge was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999 and was listed on the Register of the National Estate on 18 April 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Murray River road bridge, Swan Hill</span> Bridge in New South Wales, Australia

The Murray River road bridge is a heritage-listed road bridge that carries Swan Hill Road across the Murray River, on the border between New South Wales and Victoria, Australia. The bridge connects Murray Downs in New South Wales with McCallum Street in Swan Hill, Victoria. The bridge was built in 1896 and is owned by Transport for NSW. The bridge is also called the Swan Hill Bridge and the Swan Hill-Murray River Road Bridge. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 20 June 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Murrumbidgee River railway bridge, Gundagai</span> Railway bridge in New South Wales, Australia

The Murrumbidgee River railway bridge is a heritage-listed railway bridge across the Murrumbidgee River located on the Tumut railway line at Gundagai in the Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was built in 1903. It is also known as the Gundagai Rail Bridge over Murrumbidgee River and the Murrumbidgee River Railway Bridge. The property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Murrumbidgee River railway bridge, Narrandera</span> Historic railway bridge in New South Wales, Australia

Murrumbidgee River railway bridge is a heritage-listed disused railway bridge on the Tocumwal railway line crossing from Narrandera to Gillenbah, both in Narrandera Shire, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by John Whitton in his capacity as Engineer-in-Chief for Railways, and built in 1884–85 by Halliday & Owen with ironwork supplied by English firm Westwood, Baillie. It is also known as Narrandera Lattice Railway Bridge. The property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999 and was added to the Register of the National Estate on 15 May 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chirk Viaduct</span> Railway viaduct between England and Wales

The Chirk Viaduct is a Grade II* listed railway viaduct over the River Ceiriog between England and Wales. The viaduct carries the Shrewsbury–Chester line from the Welsh town of Chirk in historic Denbighshire from the north to the English village of Chirk Bank in Weston Rhyn, Shropshire to the south. Chirk Aqueduct lies parallel to the viaduct's east.

References

  1. 1 2 3 ANGLE VALE & DISTRICTS PROGRESS ASSOCIATION INC. ANGLE VALE BRIDGE OFFICIAL OPENING GALA DAY COMMEMORATIVE PROGRAMME 1988
  2. ↑ "Angle Vale Bridge [Laminated Timber Arch]". South Australian Heritage Register. Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  3. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=1019255909448105
  4. ↑ "OPENING OF THE ANGLE VALE BRIDGE OVER THE GAWLER RIVER". South Australian Chronicle and Weekly Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1868 - 1881) . Adelaide, SA: National Library of Australia. 25 November 1876. p. 9. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
  5. ↑ playfordspast.blogspot.com
  6. ↑ The Conservation of the Angle Vale Laminated Timber Arch Bridge, In: National Conference on Engineering Heritage (4th : 1988 : Sydney, N.S.W). Fourth National Conference on Engineering Heritage 1988: Preprints of Papers. Barton, ACT: Institution of Engineers, Australia, 1988: 42-46. Hawes, J; Legoe, D; Stacy, W; Young, D
  7. ↑ "Angle Vale Bridge, Gawler River, 1876-". Engineering Heritage Recognition Program. Engineers Australia. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  8. ↑ INDaily Adelaide, Wednesday, May 31, 2023
  9. ↑ Update on Angle Vale Bridge- 31 May 2023 Playford News
  10. ↑ South Australian Heritage Register Old Currency Creek Road Bridge Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  11. ↑ Sunnyhill Bridge, State Library of South Australia
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.