Red Bridge (Tasmania)

Red Bridge
Red Bridge, Tasmania
Coordinates 41°55′58″S 147°29′34″E / 41.93289°S 147.49269°E / -41.93289; 147.49269Coordinates: 41°55′58″S 147°29′34″E / 41.93289°S 147.49269°E / -41.93289; 147.49269
Carries Motor vehicles and Pedestrians
Crosses Elizabeth River
Locale Campbell Town, Tasmania,  Australia
Heritage status Registered
Characteristics
Design Arch bridge
Material Brick and Stone
Longest span 7.6 metres (25 ft)
No. of spans 3
History
Designer James Blackburn
Construction start 1836
Construction end July 1838

The Red Bridge in Tasmania crosses the Elizabeth River at Campbell Town. Built in 1838 using penal labour, it is the oldest surviving brick arch bridge in Australia,[1] as well as the oldest bridge anywhere on the National Highway.[2] The bridge contains three arch spans of 7.6 m (25 ft) each and holds two lanes of traffic as well as pedestrian walkways. It lies on the Midland Highway, roughly halfway between Hobart and Launceston, carrying over two million vehicles per year.

It is said to have been designed by James Blackburn, architect to Melbourne and a convict himself.[3] It was constructed of 1,250,000 handmade bricks on dry land, and after its completion the river was diverted to flow under the bridge.[4]

The Red Bridge is registered on the Register of the National Estate since 1978.

References

  1. ↑ "Red Bridge". Cintec International. Archived from the original on 2007-07-05. Retrieved 2007-08-10.
  2. ↑ "Tasmania - Transport Spending". Australia Department of Transport and Regional Services. 11 May 1999. Archived from the original on 2007-09-12. Retrieved 2007-08-10.
  3. ↑ "Local Attractions". Campbell Town Online Access Centre. Archived from the original on 4 September 2007. Retrieved 10 August 2007.
  4. ↑ "Tasmanian Memorials - Campbell Town Convict Brick Trail". The Gardens Family. Retrieved 2007-08-10.

Coordinates: 41°55′58″S 147°29′34″E / 41.9329°S 147.4927°E / -41.9329; 147.4927


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