The Red Bridge in
Tasmania
)
, nickname =
, image_map = Tasmania in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of Tasmania in AustraliaCoordinates:
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdi ...
crosses the
Elizabeth River at
Campbell Town
Campbell Town is a town in Tasmania, Australia, on the Midland Highway. At the 2021 census, the town had a population of 823.
History
Traditional owners of the Campbell Town area
The traditional custodians of the Campbell Town area were t ...
. Built in 1838 using
penal labour, it is the oldest surviving
brick arch bridge
An arch bridge is a bridge with abutments at each end shaped as a curved arch. Arch bridges work by transferring the weight of the bridge and its loads partially into a horizontal thrust restrained by the abutments at either side. A viaduct ...
in
Australia,
as well as the oldest bridge anywhere on the
National Highway. 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
An architect is a person who plans, designs and oversees the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to provide services in connection with the design of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the buildings that h ...
to
Melbourne
Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...
and a convict himself. 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.
The Red Bridge is registered on the
Register of the National Estate since 1978.
The bridge received an Engineering Heritage National Marker from
Engineers Australia
Engineers Australia (EA) is an Australian professional body and not-for-profit organisation whose purpose is to advance the science and practice of engineering for the benefit of the community. Engineers Australia is Australia's recognized org ...
as part of its
Engineering Heritage Recognition Program.
References
External links
Bridge on the Australian Heritage Database
{{coord, -41.9329, 147.4927, type:landmark_region:AU, display=title
Road bridges in Tasmania
1838 establishments in Australia
Bridges completed in 1838
Midlands (Tasmania)
Tasmanian places listed on the defunct Register of the National Estate
Tasmanian Heritage Register
Stone arch bridges in Australia
Brick bridges
Recipients of Engineers Australia engineering heritage markers