Taemas Bridge over Murrumbidgee River

Item details


Name of item:	Taemas Bridge over Murrumbidgee River
Other name/s:	RTA Bridge No. 6629
Type of item:	Built
Group/Collection:	Transport - Land
Category:	Road Bridge
Location:	Lat: -35.00361111111111 Long: 148.84861111111113
Primary address:	Wee Jasper Road, Taemas, NSW 2582
Local govt. area:	Yass Valley

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
Wee Jasper Road	Taemas	Yass Valley			Primary Address

Owner/s

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

Statement of significance:


	The Taemas Bridge has historical, social, technical, aesthetic and representative significance within the Yass-Tumut-Yarrowlumla-Gundagai area. It has provided a crossing of a major waterway, the Murrumbidgee River, for over seventy years and its long term reliability has facilitated the agricultural activities and economies of the surrounding areas. The history of transport in the region has been shaped by the Murrumbidgee and the difficulty of providing crossings of this large and flood prone waterway. The bridge represents a significant technical achievement, its robust design and its positioning, with the site of the former crossing downstream and documentary sources, demonstrate the intelligence, effort and investment required to construct a lasting and reliable crossing of this major and dynamic waterway. The bridge is of aesthetic significance, being an impressive structure of considerable length crossing a major waterway and having landmark qualities on the Yass-Tumut road. The monumental style of the abutments reflects the importance ascribed to the crossing by the Public Works Department and the community. The bridge has local social significance. The loss of the previous bridge in record flood was a major blow to the local community using this important transport and communication route. The community was involved in the debate surrounding the siting of the existing bridge, and continued to express dismay at the lengthy delay in its construction. The bridge is a landmark to which local travellers are likely to attach a sense of place and self. The bridge is a good, intact example of large scale truss design in the early to mid twentieth century.
	Date significance updated: 18 Aug 05
	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


Designer/Maker:	Public Works Department
Builder/Maker:	Steel work supplied by Tullock's Phoenix Ironworks. Erection by State Monier Pipe & RC Works
Physical description:	This two lane steel through truss bridge spans the Murrumbidgee River in the upper reaches of the Burrinjuck Dam storage. Its height has been set to clear the large floods to which the valley is subjected (and which destroyed its predecessor). The bridge has four main spans and two approach spans. Approach spans are supported by six 13.7m longitudinal steel beams (or stringers) which in turn support a reinforced concrete deck. There are cross girders at midspan to stabilise the beams. The main spans are of 45.7m (150 feet) span, having 8 bays in a Pratt Truss configuration. Connections are by riveting, and the trusses make extensive use of lattice bracing to produce compound members. Tension members are stabilised by riveted Vierendeel plates. Steel members show rolling marks of Dorman Long & Co Ld Mbro, so were presumably imported from Middlesbrough, England. The comparatively narrow 5.5m deck of the bridge is unsurfaced concrete, edged by kerbs with pipe handrails with infill wire netting. The substantial piers have two cylindrical legs founded on rock with up to three lateral tie beams. The lower sections bell out to larger diameter below the bottom cross beam. Above the upper cross beam the columns are capped with octagonal capitals which support the bridge bearings which are of rocker type. Monumental style is used in the abutments which are of U shape, but with bold corners capped with imposing endposts. The side faces of the abutment and endposts are inclined.
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	Original condition assessment: 'The bridge is in good condition with no damage noted. The condition of the steelwork coating system is generally good.' (Last updated: 23/09/2004.) 2007-08 condition update: 'Good.' (Last updated: 17/4/09.)
	Date condition updated:17 Apr 09


Current use:	Road bridge
Former use:	Road bridge

History

Historical notes:

The Taemas Bridge spans the Murrumbidgee River, on the southern branch of the Burrinjuck Dam approximately 25 kilometres southwest of Yass on the Yass-Tumut road.

The existing Taemas Bridge replaced a metal MacDonald Truss bridge, also known as the Taemas Bridge, built in about 1888, which was raised 15 feet and extended to 885 feet with the addition of numerous timber approach spans by the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission in association with the construction of Burrinjuck Dam in circa 1924. The newly raised and extended bridge was then destroyed by the record flood of May 1925. The flood was the highest for twenty years, with the water rising to 32 feet at the Hume Bridge, in Yass, where many people were evacuated from their homes. Mr Tully, Member of the Legislative Assembly promised to have the destroyed Taemas Bridge replaced as soon as possible as he recognised its importance in the conveyance of produce and livestock to market. The Public Works Department established a punt service adjacent to the destroyed bridge until such time as a new bridge could be constructed. The punt remained in operation until almost four years later, when it was swept away and destroyed by flood in April 1929. A low level bridge was constructed, but when the water rose over it in July 1929, a second punt was purchased to provide alternative access, and was worked hard carrying wool and other produce (Freeman Randell, Phase 1 South West Region Study, 2003; Main Roads Magazine, Vol. I No. 5, February 1930, p. 117-18 and Vol III No. 6, February 1932 p. 85; William Bayley, Yass Municipal Centenary History, p. 93-4, 100)

Surveys for the new bridge had begun in November - December 1925, but lengthy deliberation in the selection of a site for the new structure held up its construction. The site favoured by the Public Works Department was approximately two miles upstream from the former bridge site, occasioning a longer road route, but where a shorter bridge could be constructed and flood levels were expected to be lower. Although the Goodradigbee Council and many local residents apparently favoured a site closer to the former bridge, the Department's preferred site was selected. The design for the bridge was prepared by the Public Works Department. Several years having passed since surveys commenced, the Goodradigbee and Yass Municipal Councils participated in a meeting of protest about the delays in the bridge's construction in late 1928 or early 1929.

The Main Roads Board supervised the construction of the bridge under several contracts. Tulloch's Phoenix Ironworks Ltd. supplied and delivered the steelwork, imported from Britain, State Monier Pipe and Reinforced Concrete Works constructed the piers and abutments and erected the steelwork, Gilroy and Robson Ltd. formed and gravelled the bridge approaches. The bridge was completed on 17th July 1931 at a cost of about 60, 895 pounds. (Yass Courier, 28th May 1925 and 24th December 1925; Main Roads Magazine, Vol. I No. 5, February 1930, p. 117-18 and Vol III No. 6, February 1932 p. 85, RTA File 515.142;1; Correspondence Shire Clerk to the Public Works Department 11th August 1926, Correspondence Shire Clerk to J M Tully M.L.A. 3rd December 1928) The Wee Jasper Road was to be declared a Main Road following the construction of the bridge. The Goodradigbee Shire Council were concerned that the low section of road which was to form the southern approach to the bridge was not suitable for main road status. (Correspondence Shire Clerk to Main Roads Board 6th November 1929) It appears from cartographic evidence that this section of road has subsequently been reconstructed.

Traffic used the bridge from June 1931, although in the mid 1930s some locals still forded the river near the former bridge site when the waters of the Burrinjuck Dam were low, to save the extra distance required by road to reach the new bridge. (RTA File 515.142;1) Improvements to the fencing of the bridge approaches to better adapt them to the driving of sheep onto the bridge were considered and newspaper article of 1950 indicates that the bridge was frequently used for stock transport on the hoof. (Yass Tribune-Courier, 24th April 1950, RTA File 515.142;1)

Alterations to the Burrinjuck Dam storage level in the mid 1950s occasioned a review of maximum flood levels and the level the Taemas Bridge, to prevent the bridge from suffering the fate of its predecessor. The bridge level was considered to be satisfactory and requiring no alteration. (RTA File 515.142;1)

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	(none)-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Technology-Activities and processes associated with the knowledge or use of mechanical arts and applied sciences	(none)-
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]	Taemas Bridge is historically significant as an important transport link in the State's south west. It has provided a reliable crossing of a major waterway, the Murrumbidgee River, between the districts of Yass and Tumut for over seventy years. The history of transport in the region has been shaped by the Murrumbidgee and the difficulty of providing crossings of this large and flood prone waterway. The story of the Taemas Bridge, a long awaited replacement of an equally ambitious bridge washed away in flood, is articulate about the interaction between the communities of the Yass-Tumut area and their environment and also about the efforts and strategies of the government in providing reliable access on important rural transport routes in NSW. The long term reliability of the Taemas bridge has facilitated the agricultural activities and economies of the surrounding areas.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	The Taemas Bridge represents a significant technical achievement. The design of this robust metal bridge and its positioning, with the site of the former crossing downstream and documentary sources, demonstrate the intelligence, effort and investment required to construct a lasting and reliable crossing of this major and dynamic waterway. The bridge is of aesthetic significance, being an impressive structure of considerable length crossing a major waterway and having landmark qualities on the Yass-Tumut road. The monumental style of the abutments reflects the importance ascribed to the crossing by the Public Works Department and the community.
SHR Criteria d) [Social significance]	The bridge has local social significance. The loss of the previous bridge in record flood was a major blow to the local community using this important transport and communication route. The community was involved in the debate surrounding the siting of the existing bridge, and continued to express dismay at the lengthy delay in its construction. The monumental style of the abutments would seem to reflect the importance ascribed to the crossing by the Public Works Department and the community. The bridge is a landmark to which local travellers are likely to attach a sense of place and self.
SHR Criteria g) [Representativeness]	The bridge is a good, intact example of large scale truss design in the heyday of the rivet.
Integrity/Intactness:	Very High
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			18 Aug 05

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
Study of Heritage Significance of a Group of RTA Controlled Bridges & Ferries	2004		HAAH - Sue Rosen and Associates		Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title
Written		1950	Yass Tribune-Courier, 24th April 1950
Written		1928	Correspondence: Shire Clerk to J M Tully M.L.A., 3rd December 1928
Written		1925	Yass Courier, 28th May 1925; 24th December 1925
Written			RTA Bridge File 515.142 part 1
Written			Correspondence: Shire Clerk to the Public Works Department 11th August 1926
Written	Bayley, William	1973	Yass Municipal Centenary History
Written	Freeman Randell and Dr Susan Marsden	2003	Upgrade of Heritage and Conservation Register for the South West Region, NSW
Written	Main Roads Board/Department of Main Roads	1930	Main Roads Magazine, Vol.1. No 5, 1930; Vol. 3 No. 6, 1932

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

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Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	State Government
Database number:	4305028

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