Red Bridge (Tasmania)
The Red Bridge in Tasmania crosses the Elizabeth River at Campbell Town. It was built between 1836 and 1838 by convicts using red clay bricks made on site.[1] It has a solid stone base with sandstone piers and cappings.[1] It is the oldest brick arch bridge in Australia,[2] as well as the oldest bridge anywhere on an Australian National Highway.[3] The bridge has three arches with spans of 7.6 m (25 ft) each. It is wide enough for two lanes of traffic as well as pedestrian walkways. It is on the Midland Highway, about halfway between Hobart and Launceston, and carries over two million vehicles per year.
Red Bridge | |
|---|---|
 Red Bridge, Tasmania | |
| Coordinates | 41°55′58″S 147°29′34″E / 41.93289°S 147.49269°E |
| 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 |
| Location | |
 | |
It is said to have been designed by James Blackburn, an architect and a convict who had been sent to Tasmania for the crime of forgery.[4] It was made from 1,250,000 hand-made bricks on dry land. After it was finished the course of the river was changed to flow under the bridge.[5]
The Red Bridge is registered on the Register of the National Estate since 1978.
References
change- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Example Strengthening Report (Red Bridge, Tasmania Australia)". cintec.com. 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ↑ "Red Bridge". Cintec International. Archived from the original on 2007-07-05. Retrieved 2007-08-10.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "Local Attractions". Campbell Town Online Access Centre. Archived from the original on 2012-09-04. Retrieved 2007-08-10.
- ↑ "Tasmanian Memorials - Campbell Town Convict Brick Trail". The Gardens Family. Retrieved 2007-08-10.