Saltwater Creek Railway Bridge
{{one source|date=April 2019}}
{{Use Australian English|date=November 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{Infobox historic site
| name = Saltwater Creek Railway Bridge
| image =Saltwater Creek Railway Bridge (2009).jpg
| caption =Saltwater Creek Railway Bridge, 2009
| locmapin = Queensland#Australia
| map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|-24.8627|152.3572|region:AU-QLD_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| location = from Quay Street, Bundaberg Central to Bundaberg East, Bundaberg, Bundaberg Region, Queensland, Australia
| beginning_label = Design period
| beginning_date = 1870s–1890s (late 19th century)
| built = 1894–1894
| built_for =
| demolished =
| architect =
| architecture =
| owner =
| designation1 = Queensland Heritage Register
| designation1_offname = Saltwater Creek Railway Bridge, Millaquin Bridge
| designation1_type = state heritage (built)
| designation1_date = 21 October 1992
| delisted1_date =
| designation1_partof =
| designation1_number = 600370
| designation1_free1name = Significant period
| designation1_free1value = 1890s (fabric)
| designation1_free2name = Significant components
| designation1_free2value = abutments – railway bridge, pier/s (bridge)
| designation1_free3name = Builders
| designation1_free3value = James Overend
}}
Saltwater Creek Railway Bridge is a heritage-listed railway bridge over Bundaberg Creek (also known as Saltwater Creek) on Quay Street from Bundaberg Central to Bundaberg East in Bundaberg, Bundaberg Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1894 by James Overend. It is also known as Millaquin Bridge. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.{{cite QHR|15145|Saltwater Creek Railway Bridge|600370|accessdate=1 August 2014}}
History
Agitation for a railway from Bundaberg to the Woongarra district began in the 1880s and a line was surveyed during 1889–91. In the absence of funds for government construction and with the support of the railway commissioners, Robert Cran of the Millaquin sugar refinery near Bundaberg, was authorised by an Act of Parliament in 1892, to construct a private railway from Bundaberg to the sugar refinery. Plans were prepared for the bridge in 1893. Tenders were called by the government and a contract for construction was awarded to James Overend in January 1894. The railway was opened for traffic on 9 July 1894.
The railway was acquired by the Queensland Government on 3 December 1912. In 1917, an Act of Parliament approved the acquisition of the railway to Woongarra. In 1918, the State Government acquired the extension of the railway which had been constructed by the Woongarra Shire Council.
In 1965, plans were prepared for strengthening the bridge with steel girders suitable for a 12-ton axle loading. This was subsequently undertaken with re-used girders from the Gold Coast.
Description
File:Saltwater Creek Railway Bridge (2009) - angled view.jpg
Saltwater Creek bridge includes one {{convert|50|ft|adj=on}} plate girder span with steel cross girders and longitudinals, seven 20 and two {{convert|26|ft|adj=on}} timber spans, supported on seven timber piers, two concrete cylinder piers, and two timber abutments.
- 4x1x2 {{convert|20|ft|adj=on}} timber longitudinals, concrete abutment, common braced timber trestles, (two on timber foundations) or a common concrete pier (piers 1 to 5)
- 1x2x2 {{convert|26|ft|adj=on}} timber longitudinals, common braced timber trestle on a concrete foundation (pier 5), common cast iron cylinders with screw piles (pier 6)
- 1x2 {{convert|50|ft|adj=on}} half-through plate girders with steel cross girders, steel longitudinals, common cast iron cylinder piers with screw piles (piers 6 and 7)
- 1x2x2 {{convert|26|ft|adj=on}} timber longitudinals, common cast iron cylinders with screw piles (pier 7), common braced timber trestle (pier 8).
- 3x1x2 {{convert|20|ft|adj=on}} timber longitudinals, common braced timber trestles (piers 8 to 11).
Heritage listing
Saltwater Creek Railway Bridge was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992 having satisfied the following criteria.
The place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland's history.
A late 19th century bridge which is the second oldest extant with screw piles in Queensland, on what was constructed as a private railway to government standards.
The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a particular class of cultural places..
A late 19th century bridge which is the second oldest extant with screw piles in Queensland, on what was constructed as a private railway to government standards.
References
{{reflist}}
= Attribution =
{{QHR-CC-2014}}
External links
{{Commons category-inline|Saltwater Creek Railway Bridge}}
{{Australian railway bridges|state=autocollapse}}
Category:Queensland Heritage Register
Category:Buildings and structures in Bundaberg
Category:Railway bridges in Queensland
Category:Articles incorporating text from the Queensland Heritage Register