Sale Swing Bridge, Thompson River, 1883
Description
The Sale Swing Bridge is arguably the greatest engineering work of the renowned Australian architect and civil engineer John Grainger.
Grainger, most famous for his buildings, was also a skilled civil engineer.
The condition of the bridge after 126 years of service is a testament to Grainger’s engineering skills.
Grainger has not received proper recognition of his great contribution to the fabric of Australia’s built environment and recognition of the Sale Swing Bridge goes some way to redressing this.
The bridge was erected in 1880-1883 by Peter Platt, a local contractor under Grainger’s supervision. It is supported on a combination of cast iron, concrete-filled piers and brick abutments.
The bridge structure consists of the swinging span plus two short approach spans constructed of wrought iron half-through lattice girders with a timber deck.
The use of swing bridges in Australia has been limited and this bridge is the oldest such bridge and one of only a very small number remaining in Australia.
Division
Marker Type
- EHNL: Engineering Heritage National Landmark (from 2009)