John Whitton Bridge

John Whitton Bridge
Bridge looking south in September 2007
Coordinates 33°49′S 151°05′E / 33.82°S 151.09°E / -33.82; 151.09Coordinates: 33°49′S 151°05′E / 33.82°S 151.09°E / -33.82; 151.09
Carries Main Northern railway line
Crosses Parramatta River
Locale Meadowbank
Named for John Whitton
Maintained by NSW Trains
Characteristics
Design steel box girders
No. of spans 5
Piers in water 4
History
Construction start 1952
Construction end 1980
Opened May 1980
Replaces Meadowbank Bridge

The John Whitton Bridge carries the Main Northern railway line across the Parramatta River between the Sydney suburbs of Rhodes and Meadowbank.

First bridge

The original Meadowbank Bridge opened on 17 September 1886 as part of the construction of the Main Northern railway line. It was a lattice truss bridge designed by John Whitton, the Chief Engineer of the New South Wales Government Railways.[1]

Second bridge

As part of plans to quadruple the Main North line, construction commenced on a new bridge to the west of the existing structure. The concrete piers were completed in 1952, before the project was cancelled. Work resumed in the 1970s, with a two-track box girder bridge opening in May 1980. The piers were extended to allow for a further two tracks to be built in the future.[1] The new bridge was named after John Whitton. In 2000, the original bridge was refurbished and reopened for bike and pedestrian use.[2]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Meadowbank (Parramatta River) Underbridge NSW Environment & Heritage
  2. ↑ "Walkway Plan for Meadowbank Bridge": Railway Digest March 1997 page 9
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