Murray Bridge icon celebrates its 100th birthday
The Murray Bridge railway bridge has celebrated a century of existence, last Thursday at the Murray Bridge RSL.
The Murray Bridge railway bridge has celebrated a century of existence last Thursday, creating a moment of reflection for the community.
One hundred years ago, a dedicated railway bridge was needed to adapt to the increase of motor vehicles and freight being moved from state to state.
Although he may not have been involved with the creation of the bridge, Ken Wells OAM knows all about its history.
The Murray Bridge and District Historical Society president said the train bridge was built when the road bridge could no longer handle the weight and size of trains crossing.
Constructions started in 1923 and was completed on November 13, 1925.
"During the opening of the train bridge, around 4000-5ooo people gathered to watch, which was double the town's population at the time, because it was such a special event," he said.
The bridge was the main crossing over the main river in Australia, Mr Wells said.
It doesn't seem to go unnoticed that the bridge is made from three different sections of trusses, so why is one of them different?
The answer is far more simple then one may think.
The arched top was needed to accommodate the amount of strength required for the deepest part of the river, which happens to be on the east side.
"On the western side (the builders) went down about 180 feet to get a footing but as they came to this side, they were down 230 feet," Mr Wells said.
The curved shape converts the downward force of gravity and the bridge's weight into compressive forces that are pushed outward along the arch to the supports.
Mr Wells' great grandfather helped construct the road bridge almost 150 years ago, even appearing in the iconic photo taken when it first opened.
"We keep this history to look back upon our community in which we live," he said.
Ken Wells' great grand father sits in all white, with black vest at front; other old photographs of the train bridge can be found at the historical society's gallery. Photos: Samuel White Sweet/State Library of South Australia and Liana Webster
Murray Bridge Councillor Airlie Keen said the bridge had been a crossing point for generations, since the times the community was known by names such as Mobilong or Edwards Crossing.
"The method of crossing from one side to the other has changed with time and technology," she said.
"Much planning must've been done to select the site, design the bridge, transport it and construct it."
One hundred years later, history is repeating itself, with the need for more infrastructure to support the growth of the community, she said.
Last year, before the centenary, Cr Keen put forward to the council to light up the railway bridge but nothing was to come from it.
"It would be wonderful to see the bridge celebrated and commemorated with a permanent light display, serving as a tourism drawcard to support local businesses," she said.
