Richmond Bridge, Tasmania

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Richmond Bridge

Carries	Motor vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles
Crosses	Coal River
Locale	Richmond, Tasmania
Longest span	Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources
Total length	41m (135ft)
Width	7.2m (25ft)
Opening date	1825
Coordinates	42°44′01″S, 147°26′22″E

The Richmond Bridge is a heritage listed arch bridge located on the B31 ("Convict Trail") in Richmond, 25 kilometres (15.5 mi) north of Hobart in Tasmania, Australia. It is the oldest bridge still in use in Australia.

1 History
2 Construction
3 References
4 External links

[edit] History

The foundation stone for the Richmond Bridge was laid on 11th December 1823 and construction continued using convict labour until completion in 1825. The bridge was originally named Bigge's Bridge after Royal Commissioner, John Thomas Bigge, who recognised the need for the bridge in 1820.

In 2005, the bridge was recognised as an outstanding historic place and added to the Australian National Heritage List.

[edit] Construction

The bridge is constructed of sandstone quarried from Butchers Hill, hauled to the construction site by convicts using hand carts. It consists of four main arches, of span 4.3, 8.1, 8.3, 8.5, 8.3 and 4.1 metres (14.1, 26.6, 27.2, 27.9, 27.2, and 13.5 ft) respectively, which spring from sloping fins with angular leading edges aligned with the flow of the river.

[edit] References

Discover Tasmania Website, Accessed May 2006.
Tasmanian Communities Online, Accessed May 2006.
Department of the Environment and Heritage; Australian Heritage Database; Place ID 105724; Place File No 6/01/093/0044; Accessed October 2006.