Richmond Bridge (Tasmania)

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

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.

History

The foundation stone for the Richmond Bridge was laid on 11 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.

The plaque on Richmond Bridge summarising its history

The stone set in the bridge showing construction started in 1823.

Another historic marker set into the bridge

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

Murder of George Grover

In 1832 an employee of the Richmond Gaol was murdered at Richmond bridge. George Grover was employed as a gaoler whose duties including flogging the prisoners. He was unpopular due to his ferocity and was pushed off the edge of Richmond Bridge after drunkenly falling asleep. No one was convicted of his murder.

Construction

The Richmond 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 to the lake

See also

• Government of Australia
• Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts

External links

• Discover Tasmania Website, Accessed May 2006.
• Tasmanian Communities Online, Accessed May 2006.
• Australian National Heritage listing for Richmond Bridge, last accessed 9 July 2008.
• Historic Richmond Bridge a National Heritage jewel, Australian Government Department of the Environment and Heritage, press release, 2005