Jervois Bridge

The Jervois Bridge is a bridge in Adelaide, Australia that crosses the Port River.

Jervois Bridge
Coordinates34°50′46″S 138°29′48″E
CarriesSt Vincent Street
CrossesPort River
LocaleLefevre Peninsula
Named forWilliam Jervois
OwnerDepartment of Planning, Transport & Infrastructure
Preceded byBirkenhead Bridge
Followed byOuter Harbor railway line bridge
Characteristics
No. of lanes4
History
Opened28 July 1969

Construction of the original 98 metre Jervois Bridge from Port Adelaide to Ethelton commenced in July 1875 using components manufactured in England by Westwood, Baillie. It was the first swing bridge in Australia, with mechanical equipment provided by William Armstrong & Co of Newcastle upon Tyne.[1]

Built to carry pedestrian, rail and road traffic, it was officially opened on 7 February 1878 by Governor William Jervois, after whom it was named.[2][3]

By 1924, it had ceased to be used by rail traffic when the line was diverted.[4] Operation of the swing bridge passed from the South Australian Railways to the Harbours Board in December 1924.[5] In 1937, the control tower and its support gantry were elevated to allow use by double-decker AEC 661T trolleybuses.[6]

The original bridge closed in August 1966 to make way for a new bridge. It was later demolished with the control tower and supporting gantry moved to Nile Street, where it remains as an entrance to the Port Dock Markets car park.[1] The remnants of the original bridge received a Historic Engineering Marker from Engineers Australia as part of its Engineering Heritage Recognition Program.[7]

The new four lane bridge was constructed on an alignment a short distance upstream, opening on 28 July 1969.[1]

References
  1. Jervois Bridge SA History Hub
  2. Opening of the Jervois Bridge at Port Adelaide Adelaide Observer 9 February 1878 page 12
  3. Opening of the Jervois Bridge at Port Adelaide South Australian Chronicle & Weekly Mail 9 February 1878 page 8
  4. Jervois Bridge The Register 4 January 1924 page 6
  5. Jervois Bridge The Register 12 December 1924 page 14
  6. Altering Jervois Bridge The News 21 January 1937 page 6
  7. "Remnant of Jervois Bridge, 1878-1979". Engineers Australia. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
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