Victoria Bridge, Townsville

Victoria Bridge, Townsville
Victoria Bridge, Townsville
	Location of Victoria Bridge, Townsville in Queensland
Location	Stokes Street, Townsville, City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia
Coordinates	19°15′37″S146°49′06″E / 19.2604°S 146.8184°E
Design period	1870s–1890s (late 19th century)
Built	1888–1980s
Queensland Heritage Register
Official name	Victoria Bridge
Type	state heritage (built)
Designated	21 October 1992
Reference no.	600928
Significant period	1880s (fabric); 1889–1975 (historical use)
Significant components	machinery/plant/equipment – transport – road, pier/s (bridge)
Builders	G H Royce & Co

Victoria Bridge, Townsville
Victoria Bridge, Townsville
	The Bridge at Dawn with the Sugarshaker (Townsvilles Highest Building) in the background.
Coordinates	19°15′37″S146°49′06″E / 19.2604°S 146.8184°E
Carries	Pedestrians
Crosses	Ross Creek, South Townsville
Locale	Townsville, Queensland
Heritage status	Queensland Heritage Register (ID 600928)
Characteristics
Design	Swing bridge
Material	Steel
History
Constructed by	G. H. Royce & Co.
Construction start	1888
Opened	2 July 1889
Closed	1975
Location

Last updated December 24, 2023

Victoria Bridge is a heritage-listed swing bridge over the Ross Creek at Stokes Street, Townsville CBD, City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. The central-pivoting swing bridge was constructed by G. H. Royce & Co. in 1888 to 1889. It is one of only two of its type constructed in Australia.

History

Apart from Victoria Bridge, built in 1888–1889, the only other metal girder swing bridge constructed in Australia was the smaller one over the Forth River at Leith in Tasmania, built in 1884. Tenders were called by the Department of Works, Bridges Branch, on 25 September 1885 for the Townsville structure. A tender submitted by G.H. Royce & Co. of Sydney was accepted at a cost of £18,868. The approaches were constructed by Robertson & Stein and cost £1,780.^[1]

It was opened to traffic on 2 July 1889 and saw active service until 1975. The innovative design of a swing bridge pivoting on a central drum was an unusual method of allowing river traffic to pass up shallow Ross Creek. The central swing allowed large ships to pass through in the deeper, left hand channel, while smaller craft could take the shallower right lane. During the years after the bridge was opened the commercial centre of Townsville expanded and the warehouse district was gradually confined closer to the mouth of Ross Creek. Ships were no longer required to move up the creek to unload. By 1924 the swing section had ceased to function because of movement of the central drum.^[1]

However, vehicular traffic continued to cross for another fifty years. The bridge had seriously deteriorated by the 1980s and was threatened with demolition, until 1988 when it was leased by the Townsville City Council to a developer. Conservation work was undertaken as part of the re-development. A new superstructure of shops was built onto and around the existing fabric and the approaches to the bridge and the banks were landscaped. The kiosks installed along the northern bank are now a favourite meeting place for the community.^[1]

Description

Victoria Bridge was originally one of only two metal girder, swing bridges in Australia. It was an all steel structure except for wooden decking. A central drum, from which the central span swung open, housed the gas, free piston Otto engine. A row of modern shops has been built along its length, with a restaurant under the eastern end of the structure. An office is located beneath the western end.^[1]

Although the swing span no longer moves, the bridge is structurally sound. The gas engine was removed and in 1991 was mounted at the city end. The addition of a modern superstructure of shops and the removal of the approaches has substantially altered the visual aspect.^[1]

Heritage listing

Victoria Bridge was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992 having satisfied the following criteria.^[1]

The place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland's history.

The design of this central pivoting, swing bridge was an innovative solution to the problem of a bridge over a shallow waterway.^[1]

Only one other bridge of a similar design was constructed in Australia.^[1]

Victoria Bridge is also held in high regard because it has been a feature of the townscape and played a major part in the development of the city for over one hundred years.^[1]

The place demonstrates rare, uncommon or endangered aspects of Queensland's cultural heritage.

Only one other bridge of a similar design was constructed in Australia.^[1]

The place is important in demonstrating a high degree of creative or technical achievement at a particular period.

The design of this central pivoting, swing bridge was an innovative solution to the problem of a bridge over a shallow waterway.^[1]

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

Victoria Bridge is also held in high regard because it has been a feature of the townscape and played a major part in the development of the city for over one hundred years.^[1]

Looking across the Victoria Bridge to Townsville CBD with Castle Hill, Townsville in the background, circa 1955
View of the underside of the bridge with the central drum that allowed the bridge to pivot, 2016
The swinging span of the bridge deck, 2016
Boat approaching the swinging span, 2016

Engineering heritage award

The bridge received a Historic Engineering Marker from Engineers Australia as part of its Engineering Heritage Recognition Program.^[2]

Related Research Articles

The William Jolly Bridge is a heritage-listed road bridge over the Brisbane River between North Quay in the Brisbane central business district and Grey Street in South Brisbane, within City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Harding Frew and built from 1928 to 1932 by MR Hornibrook.

Albert Bridge is a heritage-listed railway bridge of steel truss design crossing the Brisbane River between Indooroopilly and Chelmer in the City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Henry Charles Stanley and built from 1894 to 1895 by John McCormick & Son as a replacement for an earlier bridge lost to flooding in 1893. Both bridges were named in honour of the Prince of Wales, Prince Albert. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

The Bolte Bridge is a large twin cantilever road bridge in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The Bolte Bridge carries a total of eight lanes of traffic – four lanes northbound and four lanes southbound. While officially only 490 metres in length, the actual structure appears much longer as it forms part of a 5 kilometre elevated roadway between Flemington Road and the West Gate Freeway. It spans the Yarra River and Victoria Harbour in the Docklands precinct to the west of the Melbourne CBD. It forms part of the CityLink system of toll roads that connects the Tullamarine Freeway from the northern suburbs with the West Gate Freeway and the Domain and Burnley tunnels to the Monash Freeway and the south eastern suburbs. It is named after Victoria's 38th and longest-serving Premier, Sir Henry Bolte.

The Pyrmont Bridge, a heritage-listed swing bridge across Cockle Bay, is located in Darling Harbour, part of Port Jackson, west of the central business district in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. Opened in 1902, the bridge initially carried motor vehicle traffic via the Pyrmont Bridge Road between the central business district and Pyrmont. Since 1981 the bridge has carried pedestrian and bicycle traffic only, as motor vehicles were diverted to adjacent freeway overpasses. The bridge was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 28 June 2002, the centenary of its opening.

The Glebe Island Bridge is a heritage-listed disused swing Allan truss road bridge that carried Victoria Road across Rozelle Bay, located in the inner city Sydney suburb of Pyrmont in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. The bridge, that connected Rozelle to Pyrmont by road, is one of the last remaining swing bridges of its type in Australia and in the world. It was designed by Percy Allan and built from 1899 to 1903 by Bridges Branch of NSW Public Works Department. It is also known as RMS Bridge No. 61. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 29 November 2013 and was listed on the Register of the National Estate on 19 April 1989.

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

The Victoria Bridge, also known as the Victoria Bridge over the Nepean River, is a heritage-listed former railway bridge and now wrought iron box plate girder road bridge across the Nepean River on the Great Western Highway in the western Sydney suburb of Penrith in the City of Penrith local government area of New South Wales, Australia. The bridge was designed by John Whitton, the Engineer–in–Chief of New South Wales Government Railways, and built from 1862 to 1867 by William Piper, Peto Brassey and Betts (superstructure), William Watkins (piers). It is also known as Victoria Bridge, The Nepean Bridge and RTA Bridge No. 333. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 27 May 2016.

Creek Street is a major street in the central business district of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The street follows a one-way south–north direction, starting at the beginning of Charlotte Street and cutting through Elizabeth Street, Queen Street, Adelaide Street, and Ann Street before coming to an end at Turbot Street in the northern end of the CBD. Creek Street was named for the filled-in creek over which it was constructed, and is an exception to the convention of parallel streets in the CBD being named after male royals.

Dickabram Bridge is a heritage-listed road-and-rail bridge over the Mary River between Miva and Theebine, both in the Gympie Region, Queensland, Australia. It was the major bridge on the Kingaroy railway line. It was designed by Henry Charles Stanley and built from 1885 to 1886 by Messrs Michael McDermott, Owens & Co. It is also known as Mary River Bridge (Miva). The bridge was registered on the former Register of the National Estate in 1988.

Lockyer Creek Railway Bridge (Lockyer) is a heritage-listed railway bridge on the Toowoomba - Helidon railway line over Lockyer Creek at Lockyer, Lockyer Valley Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by William Pagan and built from 1909 to 1910. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Quart Pot Creek Rail Bridge is a heritage-listed railway bridge at Quart Pot Creek, Stanthorpe, Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1886. It is also known as the Red Bridge. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Lockyer Creek Railway Bridge is a heritage-listed railway bridge on the Brisbane Valley railway line over Lockyer Creek at Clarendon, Somerset Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Henry Charles Stanley and built from 1885 to 1886 by H A Brigg. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Burnett Bridge is a heritage-listed road bridge crossing the Burnett River from Quay Street, Bundaberg Central to Perry Street, Bundaberg North in Bundaberg, Bundaberg Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Alfred Barton Brady and built in 1900. It is also known as Burnett River Traffic Bridge. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Saltwater Creek Railway Bridge is a heritage-listed railway bridge over Bundaberg Creek on Quay Street from Bundaberg Central to Bundaberg East in Bundaberg, Bundaberg Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1894 by James Overend. It is also known as Millaquin Bridge. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Splitters Creek Railway Bridge is a heritage-listed railway bridge across Splitters Creek on the Bundaberg - Mount Perry Line, between Oakwood and Sharon in the Bundaberg Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built from 1879 to 1880 by J & A Overend. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Great Northern Hotel is a heritage-listed hotel at 500 Flinders Street, Townsville CBD, City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Tunbridge & Tunbridge and built from 1900 to 1901. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Australian Joint Stock Bank Building is a heritage-listed bank at 173 Flinders Street, Townsville CBD, City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Francis Drummond Greville Stanley and built from 1887 to 1888 by MacMahon & Cliffe. It is also known as Australian Bank of Commerce and The Bank Nite Club. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Burdekin River Rail Bridge is a heritage-listed former railway bridge on the Great Northern railway over the Burdekin River at Dotswood, Charters Towers Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Henry Charles Stanley and built from c. 1896 to 1899 by Swanson Brothers. It is also known as Macrossan Bridge. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Ideraway Creek Railway Bridge is a heritage-listed railway bridge at Mungar - Monto Line, Ideraway, North Burnett Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by William Pagan and built from 1906 to 1907 using day labour. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Angellala Rail Bridge is a heritage-listed railway bridge on the Roma-Cunnamulla railway line over Angellala Creek in Sommariva in the Shire of Murweh, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Henry Charles Stanley and built from c. 1885 to 1994. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

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.

References

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Victoria Bridge (entry 600928)". Queensland Heritage Register . Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
↑ "Victoria Bridge and its Crossley Engine, Ross Creek, 1881-". Engineers Australia. Retrieved 8 May 2020.

Attribution

This Wikipedia article incorporates text from "The Queensland heritage register" published by the State of Queensland under CC-BY 3.0 AU licence (accessed on 7 July 2014, archived on 8 October 2014). The geo-coordinates were computed from the "Queensland heritage register boundaries" published by the State of Queensland under CC-BY 3.0 AU licence (accessed on 5 September 2014, archived on 15 October 2014).

External links

Media related to Victoria Bridge, Townsville at Wikimedia Commons

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.

[qhr-1] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Victoria Bridge (entry 600928)". Queensland Heritage Register . Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 1 August 2014.

[2] "Victoria Bridge and its Crossley Engine, Ross Creek, 1881-". Engineers Australia. Retrieved 8 May 2020.

[1]

[2]