Paterson River bridge, Vacy

Last updated • 5 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

Paterson River bridge, Vacy
Paterson River bridge, Vacy, New South Wales 01.jpg
Paterson River bridge, Vacy, New South Wales
Coordinates 32°32′15″S151°34′34″E / 32.5376°S 151.5761°E / -32.5376; 151.5761 Coordinates: 32°32′15″S151°34′34″E / 32.5376°S 151.5761°E / -32.5376; 151.5761
CarriesGresford Road
Crosses Paterson River
Locale Vacy, New South Wales, Australia
Other name(s)Vacy Bridge over Paterson River
Owner Transport for NSW
Characteristics
Design Allan truss
MaterialTimber
Total length64.9 metres (213 ft)
Width4.6 metres (15 ft)
Longest span27.4 metres (90 ft)
No. of spans2
No. of lanes One
History
Engineering design by Percy Allan
Construction end1898
Construction cost 1,750
ReplacesVacy Bridge (????-1896)
Official nameVacy Bridge over Paterson River; Paterson River bridge, Vacy
TypeState heritage (built)
Designated20 June 2000
Reference no.1483
TypeRoad Bridge
CategoryTransport - Land
BuildersTaylor and Littleproud
Location
Paterson River bridge, Vacy

The Paterson River bridge, Vacy is a heritage-listed road bridge that carries Gresford Road across the Paterson River located in Vacy, New South Wales, Australia. It is situated about 300 metres south of the junction of Gresford Road and Summer Hill Road. The bridge was designed by Percy Allan and built in 1888 by Taylor and Littleproud. The bridge is also known as the Vacy Bridge over Paterson River. The bridge is owned by Transport for NSW. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 20 June 2000. [1]

Contents

History

Allan truss bridges

Timber truss road bridges have played a significant role in the expansion and improvement of the New South Wales road network. Prior to the bridges being built, river crossings were often dangerous in times of rain, which caused bulk freight movement to be prohibitively expensive for most agricultural and mining produce. Only the high priced wool clip of the time was able to carry the costs and inconvenience imposed by the generally inadequate river crossings that often existed prior to the trusses construction. [1]

Timber truss bridges were preferred by the Public Works Department from the mid 19th to the early 20th century because they were relatively cheap to construct, and used mostly local materials. The financially troubled governments of the day applied pressure to the Public Works Department to produce as much road and bridge work for as little cost as possible, using local materials. This condition effectively prohibited the use of iron and steel, as these, prior to the construction of the steel works at Newcastle in the early 20th century, had to be imported from England. [1]

Allan trusses were the first truly scientifically engineered timber truss bridges, and incorporate American design ideas for the first time. This is a reflection of the changing mindset of the NSW people, who were slowly accepting that American ideas could be as good as or better than European ones. The high quality and low cost of the Allan truss design entrenched the dominance of timber truss bridges for NSW roads for the next 30 years. [1]

Percy Allan, the designer of Allan truss and other bridges, was a senior engineer of the Public Works Department, and a prominent figure in late 19th century NSW. [1]

Timber truss bridges, and timber bridges generally were so common that NSW was known to travellers as the "timber bridge state". [1]

The Vacy bridge

The current bridge at Vacy was built in 1898 after the previous bridge was destroyed by fire in late 1896. It was completed at an approximate cost of 1,750. [2] [3]

Description

The Vacy Bridge is an Allan-type timber truss road bridge. It has two timber truss spans, each of 27.4 metres (90 ft). There is a single timber approach span at one end and none at the other giving the bridge an overall length of 64.9 metres (213 ft). [1]

The super structure is supported by timber trestles and provides a single-lane carriage way with a minimum width of 4.6 metres (15 ft). The guard rail is of timber post and rail construction and extends the full length of the bridge. [1]

The bridge was reported to be in good condition as at 15 June 2005. [1]

Heritage listing

Completed in 1898, the Vacy bridge is an early example of an Allan type timber truss road bridge, and in 1998 was in good condition. As a timber truss road bridge, it has many associational links with important historical events, trends, and people, including the expansion of the road network and economic activity throughout NSW, and Percy Allan, the designer of this type of truss. [1]

Allan trusses were third in the five-stage design evolution of NSW timber truss bridges, and were a major improvement over the McDonald trusses which preceded them. Allan trusses were 20% cheaper to build than McDonald trusses, could carry 50% more load, and were easier to maintain. The Vacy bridge is located in the Hunter Region, which has 15 historic bridges each constructed before 1905, and it gains heritage significance from its proximity to the high concentration of other historic bridges in the area. In 1998 there were 38 surviving Allan trusses in NSW of the 105 built, and 82 timber truss road bridges survive from the over 400 built. [1]

The Vacy bridge is a representative example of Allan timber truss road bridges, and is assessed as being State significant, primarily on the basis of its technical and historical significance. The Vacy Bridge over Paterson River was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 20 June 2000 having satisfied the following criteria. [1]

The place is important in demonstrating the course, or pattern, of cultural or natural history in New South Wales.

Through the bridge's association with the expansion of the NSW road network, its ability to demonstrate historically important concepts such as the gradual acceptance of NSW people of American design ideas, and its association with Percy Allan, it has historical significance. [1]

The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales.

The bridge exhibits the technical excellence of its design, as all of the structural detail is clearly visible. In the context of its landscape it is visually attractive. As such, the bridge has a small amount of aesthetic significance. [1]

The place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in New South Wales for social, cultural or spiritual reasons.

Timber truss bridges are prominent to road travellers, and NSW has in the past been referred to as the "timber truss bridge state". Through this, the complete set of bridges gain some social significance, as they could be said to be held in reasonable esteem by many travellers in NSW. The Vacy bridge is valued by the people of the Patterson and Vacy districts. [1]

The place possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales.

Rare; in 1998 there were 38 surviving Allan trusses in NSW of the 105 built, and 82 timber truss road bridges survive from the over 400 built. [1]

The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural or natural places/environments in New South Wales.

The bridge is representative of Allan truss bridges. [1]

See also

Related Research Articles

The Victoria Bridge is a heritage-listed timber trestle truss road bridge across the Stonequarry Creek, located at Prince Street in the south-western Sydney town of Picton in the Wollondilly Shire local government area of New South Wales, Australia. The bridge is owned by Transport for NSW, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. The bridge is also known as the Victoria Bridge over Stonequarry Creek. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 20 June 2000. Designed by Percy Allan and opened on 7 October 1897, Victoria Bridge employs Allan trusses and was built by C. J. Ford of Sydney.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vacy, New South Wales</span> Suburb of Dungog Shire, New South Wales, Australia

Vacy is a locality of the Dungog Shire local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. Situated between Gresford and Paterson, it includes the village of Vacy, which was founded in the 1820s as a private town by John Cory, the owner of a large land grant. Vacy began to prosper in the 1850s and was a busy town by the 1870s. It remained a private town until it was sold in 1927 by the Cory family. The village is located at the junction of the Paterson and Allyn rivers. At the 2011 census, Vacy had a population of 547.

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

Morpeth Bridge is a heritage-listed road bridge over the Hunter River at Morpeth, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Percy Allan and built from 1896 to 1898 by Samuel McGill. It is also known as Morpeth Bridge over the Hunter River. The property is owned by Transport for NSW.

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

The Goodradigbee River Bridge is a heritage-listed road bridge that carries Main Road across the Goodradigbee River in Wee Jasper, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Percy Allan and built in 1896 by W. J. Lansdown. The bridge is also known as the Wee Jasper Bridge over Goodradigbee River. The bridge is owned by Transport for NSW. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 20 June 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wallaby Rocks Bridge</span> Bridge in New South Wales, Australia

The Wallaby Rocks Bridge is a heritage-listed road bridge that carries Hill End Road across the Turon River, at Wallaby Rocks near Sofala, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Percy Allan and built in 1897 by E. Taylor of Balmain. The bridge is owned by Transport for NSW. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 20 June 2000.

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

The Murray River bridge is a heritage-listed road bridge that carries Main Road across the Murray River located at Barham in the Murray River Council local government area of New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Department of Public Works and built in 1904 by John Monash. The bridge is also known as the Barham Bridge over Murray River and the Barham bridge. The bridge is owned by the Murray River Council and was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 20 June 2000.

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

The Murrumbidgee River bridge, Carrathool is a heritage-listed road bridge that, until its closure in 2019, carried Carrathool Road across the Murrumbidgee River in Carrathool, New South Wales, Australia. The bridge is owned by Transport for NSW. The bridge is also called the Carrathool Bridge over Murrumbidgee River and provides a key connection between the Sturt Highway and the Murrumbidgee Road. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 20 June 2000.

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

The Coonamit Bridge is a heritage-listed road bridge that carries Swan Hill Road across the Wakool River, connecting Mallan and Dilpurra in the Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia. The bridge was designed by Harvey Dare and built in 1929. The bridge is owned by Transport for NSW and was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 20 June 2000.

<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">Tooleybuc Bridge</span> Bridge crossing Murray River in Victoria, Australia

The Tooleybuc Bridge is a dual heritage-listed road bridge that carries Tooleybuc Road across the Murray River, located in Tooleybuc, New South Wales, Australia. It was built in 1925. The bridge is owned by the Transport for NSW, and is also called the Tooleybuc Bridge over Murray River. The bridge was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 20 June 2000 and the Victorian Heritage Register on 10 July 2008.

The Junction Bridge is a heritage-listed road bridge that carries the Tumut Plains Road across the Tumut River, from Tumut to Tumut Plains in New South Wales, Australia. The bridge is owned by Transport for NSW. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 20 June 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Williams River bridge, Clarence Town</span> Bridge in New South Wales, Australia

The Williams River bridge, Clarence Town is a heritage-listed road bridge that carries Limeburners Creek Road across the Williams River located in Clarence Town, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by the New South Wales Public Works Department and built by J. K. McKenzie. The property is owned by Transport for NSW. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 20 June 2000.

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

The Karuah River bridge is a heritage-listed road bridge that carries the Weismantels-Dingadee Road across the Karuah River, located at Monkerai, New South Wales, Australia. The bridge is also known as the Monkerai Bridge over Karuah River. The bridge is owned by Transport for NSW. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 20 June 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colemans Bridge</span> Bridge

The Colemans Bridge is a heritage-listed road bridge that carries Union Street across the Leycester Creek in Lismore, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Harvey Dare and built in 1907 by W. F. Oakes. The bridge is owned by Transport for NSW. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 20 June 2000.

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

The Dunmore Bridge is a heritage-listed road bridge that carries Clarence Town Road across the Paterson River in Woodville, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Percy Allan and built in 1899 by Morpeth contractor, S. McGill. The property is owned by Transport for NSW. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 20 June 2000.

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

The Hinton Bridge over Paterson River is a heritage-listed road bridge that carrier the Hinton-Morpeth Road across the Paterson River at Hinton, New South Wales, Australia. The bridge was designed by Ernest de Burgh and built in 1901. The bridge is owned by Transport for NSW. The bridge was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 20 June 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MacDonald River bridge, St Albans</span> Bridge in New South Wales, Australia

The MacDonald River bridge is a heritage-listed road bridge that carries St Albans Road across the MacDonald River at St Albans, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Ernest de Burgh and built by John Ahearn and Son. It is also known as Norton Bridge. The property is owned by Transport for NSW. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 20 June 2000.

Beckers Bridge is a heritage-listed timber truss road bridge that carries Main Road across Webbers Creek, located in Glendon Brook, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Ernest de Burgh. The Bridge is owned by Transport for NSW. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 20 June 2000.

The Glennies Creek Bridge is a heritage-listed road bridge that carries the Rixs Creek-Falbrook Road across the Glennies Creek, located at Middle Falbrook, New South Wales, Australia. The bridge was designed by Ernest de Burgh and built in 1902-03 by William Murphy and James Taylor. The property is owned by Transport for NSW. The bridge was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 20 June 2000.

The Wollombi Brook bridge is a heritage-listed road bridge that carries Putty Road across the Wollombi Brook at Bulga, New South Wales, Australia. The bridge was designed by Harvey Dare and built in 1912. The bridge is owned by Transport for NSW. The bridge was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 20 June 2000.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 "Vacy Bridge over Paterson River". New South Wales State Heritage Register . Department of Planning and Environment. H01483. Retrieved 2 June 2018. CC-BY icon.svg Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC-BY 4.0 licence .
  2. "VACY". The Maitland Daily Mercury . Vol. 7128, no. 1355. New South Wales, Australia. 10 May 1898. p. 2. Retrieved 4 July 2018 via National Library of Australia.
  3. "VACY". The Maitland Daily Mercury . Vol. 7128, no. 1075. New South Wales, Australia. 15 June 1897. p. 4. Retrieved 4 July 2018 via National Library of Australia.

Bibliography

Attribution

CC BY icon-80x15.png This Wikipedia article was originally based on Vacy Bridge over Paterson River , entry number 01483 in the New South Wales State Heritage Register published by the State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) 2018 under CC-BY 4.0 licence , accessed on 2 June 2018.