Iron Cove Bridge

Item details


Name of item:	Iron Cove Bridge
Other name/s:	RTA Bridge No. 65
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Transport - Land
Category:	Road Bridge
Primary address:	Victoria Road, Drummoyne, NSW 2047
Local govt. area:	Canada Bay

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
Victoria Road	Drummoyne	Canada Bay			Primary Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
Transport for NSW	State Government

Statement of significance:


	The Iron Cove Bridge is an outstanding steel truss bridge which forms a local landmark that has a "gateway" quality for the suburbs of Balmain and Drummoyne due to its impressive size. The Bridge is comprised of aesthetically distinctive piers and abutments which reflect the Inter-War Art Deco style which was prevalent when it was first designed in 1942. Furthermore it was the last steel truss bridge to be constructed in NSW in which rivets were used for field connections prior to the introduction of high strength bolts. The Iron Cove Bridge has been assessed as being of State significance.
	Date significance updated: 21 Jul 03
	Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description


Construction years:	1947-1955
Physical description:	The Iron Cove Bridge is an impressive steel truss bridge. It consists of four 18m plate girder approach spans and seven 52m steel Pratt truss spans for a total length of 461.26m (1,535ft 10in). Four lanes of traffic are located within the truss spans and the overall width of the roadway is 13.70m between kerbs. The roadway consists of a 127mm reinforced concrete deck slab with an inset for tram tracks in the centre portion.
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	Fair heritage condition.
	Date condition updated:08 Jul 09
Modifications and dates:	Replacement of the old bridge was decided upon immediately prior to the outbreak of war in 1939. In 1947, despite the significant backlog in bridge repairs, construction was commenced on a major new bridge across Iron Cove. In 2004 the bus lane deck was replaced. The railings were removed as part of the replacement to be reinstated later.


Current use:	Road bridge
Former use:	Road bridge

History


Historical notes:	The Bridge was officially opened by the Hon. J.J. Cahill, MLA, Premier and Colonial Treasurer of NSW on the 30th July, 1955. The design of the bridge incorporates many elements of the Inter-War Art Deco style which was at its peak in Australia between 1915 and 1940.

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Transport-Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements	(none)-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	After Hawkesbury River (1945) and Hexham Bridge (1952) it was the most substantial undertaking in the construction of a steel truss bridge by the DMR in the post war period. Like these, it stands out as a remarkable and optimistic achievement in the depressed economic conditions then prevailing. It served as a replacement for an earlier bridge which was constructed in 1881 which formed an important link in Sydney's electric tramway service. The Bridge has been assessed as fulfilling this criterion at a state level.
SHR Criteria b) [Associative significance]	The Bridge stands as a testament to the abilities of the DMR Bridge Designer Laurie Challis, this being the largest steel truss project he was associated with. The Bridge has been assessed as fulfilling this criterion at a local level.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	The Bridge exhibits the technical excellence of its design, as all the structural details are clearly visible. Unlike many bridges, it is particularly striking to those who use the Bridge because users are enveloped in the truss. Due to its impressive size it forms a local landmark that has a 'gateway' quality for the suburbs of Balmain and Drummoyne. The Bridge is comprised of aesthetically distinctive piers and abutments which reflect the Inter-War Art Deco style which was prevalent when it was first designed in 1942. The Bridge has been assessed as fulfilling this criterion at a state level.
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	The Parramatta River is very popular with rowers and boating enthusiasts, and so the landmark of Iron Cove Bridge is highly valued by locals and tourists alike, giving them a sense of place. The community would therefore have a deep sense of loss should the Bridge be damaged or destroyed. It forms part of the Bay Run which is a popular walking and cycling route for residents of Rozelle, Drummoyne and Five Dock. In addition, the Bridge has contributed significantly to the social and commercial development of the suburbs around Drummoyne. The Bridge has been assessed as fulfilling this criterion at a state level.
SHR Criteria e) [Research potential]	Steelwork for the superstructure was supplied and fabricated by the Clyde Engineering Co. Ltd, the firm which was integral in the construction of the Hawkesbury River Bridge in 1945 .A feature of the steel design is that the Bridge components clearly reflect the forces they are transmitting. Furthermore, it was the last steel truss bridge to be constructed in NSW in which rivets were used for field connections prior to the introduction of high strength bolts. The Bridge has been assessed as fulfilling this criterion at a state level.
SHR Criteria f) [Rarity]	Iron Cove Bridge is one of the largest (most spans) steel truss bridges constructed in NSW. Metal bridges are relatively rare in relation to the total road bridge population. It stands as a record of DMR optimism in the depressed period after war, and the Art Deco elements in its design are not seen on other bridges of this type. The Bridge has been assessed as fulfilling this criterion at a state level.
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	The Bridge is an excellent example of its type, having the principal characteristics of this important class of bridges (ie the steel Pratt truss), but is outstanding because of its setting and size. Furthermore it possesses fine architectural detailing not seen on other bridges of this type. The Bridge has been assessed as fulfilling this criterion at a state level.
Assessment criteria:	Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written	Ian Berger, RTA Environmental Technology	2003	Iron Cove Bridge Statement of Heritage Impact

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.

(Click on thumbnail for full size image and image details)

Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	State Government
Database number:	4302673

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