Richmond Bridge Size report
The Richmond Bridge is an arch bridge in Richmond, Tasmania, Australia, 25 kilometers north of Hobart. It spans the Coal River and is the oldest bridge still in use in Australia. On November 25, 2005, Richmond Bridge was recognized as an important historic site and added to the Australian Heritage List.
Hobart is the capital of the Australian state of Tasmania, backed by Mount Wellington, facing the Derwent River, with beautiful scenery and a world-famous, beautiful city. Hobart is also known for its many elegant 19th-century buildings built by convicts, including the Richmond Bridge.
The bridge is very important in the historical development of the town of Richmond. It has been an important transport infrastructure for nearly a century. Although the bridge does not have an amazing size and unique design structure, many people still visit this ancient stone bridge. Let's learn more details about the Richmond Bridge here.
Description of the Richmond Bridge Size
The Richmond Bridge was laid on December 11, 1823, and construction was completed in 1825. A monument engraved on the bridge indicates the year of its construction. The original bridge was named Big Bridge, after the name of Royal Commissioner John Big, who recognized the need for this bridge in 1820. The designer is not known. The start of bridge construction cemented Richmond as an important town, not just as a farming area.
The raw material for the Richmond Bridge is sandstone from the Butchers Hill quarry, which is transported by prisoners using trolleys to the construction site. As a place of exile for British felons, many buildings in Tasmania were built by prisoners, and this ancient stone bridge is no exception.
Dimensions of the Richmond Bridge
The old bridge has six semi-circular arches with a total length of 41.5 meters (135 feet), while the breadth was 7.5 meters (25 feet). The bridge has four large and two small arches; it possessed the largest span of any bridge in Australia at the time and retained that record until 1836. The spans of the arches are 4.3, 8.1, 8.3, 8.5, 8.3, and 4.1 meters, respectively, and are designed according to water flow characteristics.
| Quick Facts | Size |
|---|---|
| Total Length | 41 m (135ft) |
| Width | 7.5 m (25ft) |
| Longest Span | 8.5 m |
| Number of Span | 6 |
Final Words
The sandstone Richmond Bridge is Australia's oldest surviving large stone arch bridge. It is still in service today. Its design and build were significant technical achievements for the new colony. Strolling on the bridge, admiring the surrounding picturesque countryside, and experiencing the history is a must-do in Richmond.
