Victoria Bridge - Swing Bridge, Townsville Queensland
Posted by: 
bucketeer
S 19° 15.620 E 146° 49.088
55K E 480888 N 7870357
A Townsville Icon
Waymark Code: WMEZDD
Location: Queensland, Australia
Date Posted: 07/27/2012
Views: 10
ITS HISTORY
The Victoria Bridge. the first major bridge built in Townsville, was constructed between 1884 and 1889 linking the city to South Townsville. It was designed by Government Engineer for Bridges. JH Daniells and its construction was funded by the Queensland Government. Built at a cost of more than £20,000. the bridge was completed and handed over to the Townsville Municipal Council in July 1889.
As shipping was crucial to the early economy of the town, a ‘swing’ bridge was designed to allow access to the wharves upstream in the Ross Creek channel. The central section of the swing bridge rotated about a vertical axis on a cylindrical pier, allowing space either side for the passage of ships to those areas. The gas engine powering the swinging mechanism was housed within the central pier.
In 1923 the swing mechanism of the bridge was closed permanently. The bridge remained open to vehicular traffic but as other bridges were constructed in Townsville it was no longer needed and was closed in 1975.
Threatened with demolition. the bridge was heavily modified in the 19805 with the construction of an enclosed shopping centre over the carriageway and the removal of the approaches on both sides.
In 2001 the Townsville City Council, with support from the State Govemment. restored the bridge by removing the enclosures and returning it to the pedestrians of the city.
A RARE ENGINEERING EXAMPLE
The Victoria Bridge is the only bridge of its kind in Queensland and is one of only six swing bridges constructed in Australia. Constructed of deep steel girders imported from England, it was unlike most other swing bridges in the country which were constructed as trusses using smaller sections.
A gas engine powered the swinging mechanism, rather than steam or electric power like other bridges. While most swing bridges were operated from a control tower located above the decking, the Victoria Bridge was operated from a point beneath the decking at the top of the main cylinder, accessed via a small manhole set within the bridge decking.
With a swinging span of close to 23 metres the Victoria Bridge was the largest swing bridge in Australia at the time of its construction and remained so for some years. It is a unique part of Australia’s engineering heritage. The importance of the bridge to both Townsville and the wider community has been recognised by its entry in the heritage registers of the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Trust of Queensland and the Australian Heritage Commission.
Informaton was taken from signs mounted at either end of the bridge.
The coordinates were taken at the swing centre marker on the bridge deck.
Bridge Type: Swing Bridge
Built: 07/02/1889
Span: 168 metres
Pedestrian Traffic: yes
Bicycle Traffic: yes
Vehicular Traffic: no
Railway Traffic: no
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Visit Instructions:
Take a picture of the bridge and record the exact coordinates where the picture was taken.