Rossi Bridge over Wollondilly River

The Rossi Bridge over Wollondilly River is a heritage-listed road bridge that carries Range Road across the Wollondilly River, Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia. The bridge is owned by Transport for NSW. It is also known as Rossi's Crossing. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 20 June 2000.[1]

Rossi Bridge over Wollondilly River
Heritage boundaries
Coordinates34°44′01″S 149°40′41″E / 34.7336°S 149.6780°E / -34.7336; 149.6780
CarriesRange Road
CrossesWollondilly River
LocaleGoulburn, New South Wales, Australia
Other name(s)Rossi's Crossing
OwnerTransport for NSW
Characteristics
DesignAllan truss
MaterialTimber
Pier constructionGranite
Total length106.1 metres (348 ft)
Longest span27.4 metres (90 ft)
No. of spans5
Piers in water4
No. of lanes1
History
Fabrication byJ. J. Taylor and H. F. Littleproud
Construction end1899
Construction cost2,545 17s 5d
ReplacesAn earlier bridge (details unknown)
Official nameRossi Bridge over Wollondilly River
TypeState heritage (built)
Designated20 June 2000
Reference no.01479
TypeRoad Bridge
CategoryTransport – Land
Location
Map

History

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Rossi's Crossing was a ford over the Wollondilly River used by the locals for access north west of Goulburn towards Wheeo and Crookwell.[2] Built near the estate of F. R. L. Rossi, a well known local, near his estate, Rossiville. G. J. Clarke built the approaches.[3]

At some stage a bridge had been built, meetings being held,[4] but it was in disrepair as early as 1873[5] needing repairs by Government tender;[6] and again in 1887,[7] and in 1893.[8]

Tenders for the new super structure were called in 1898.[9] The bridge over the Wollondilly River at Rossi's Crossing was re-built in 1898-99. The contractors were J. J. Taylor and H. F. Littleproud of Bega, who had submitted a tender of 2,545 17s 5d.[1][10][11]

Description

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The bridge is a good example of the 27-metre (90 ft) Allan truss span bridge. This type was developed in 1893 and used at least until 1920. It is a [Howe-type bridge and has a number of design features. It has tension rods for verticals and these can be used to adjust the geometry and counteract shrinkage; the diagonal members were cut off square at their ends and pressed against special cast iron details and double timbers were used to allow for replacement. This bridge is unusual for its type in that it has granite piers and abutments, said to date from 1860 or earlier. The bridge was early for its type, and its design and span give it considerable technological significance.[1]

The Rossi Bridge is a large scale example of an Allan composite timber truss bridge. The bridge is unusual because of its support by elegant masonry piers (which have not been noted under any other truss bridge in New South Wales). The truss structure and piers complement an already attractive rural landscape.[1]

Heritage listing

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The Rossi Bridge over the Wollondilly River was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 20 June 2000.[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Rossi Bridge over Wollondilly River". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H01479. Retrieved 2 June 2018.   Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  2. ^ "Rossi's Bridge". Goulburn Evening Penny Post. New South Wales, Australia. 20 October 1898. p. 4 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "Government Gazette Tenders and Contracts". New South Wales Government Gazette. No. 340. New South Wales, Australia. 23 October 1877. p. 4174 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "LOCAL AND PROVINCIAL". The Goulburn Herald and Chronicle. New South Wales, Australia. 10 June 1865. p. 3 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "Untitled". The Sydney Morning Herald. Vol. LXVIII, no. 11,034. New South Wales, Australia. 27 September 1873. p. 9 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "GOVERNMENT NOTICES". The Sydney Morning Herald. Vol. LXXVI, no. 12,238. New South Wales, Australia. 8 August 1877. p. 6 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ "ROSSI'S BRIDGE". The Goulburn Herald. New South Wales, Australia. 10 May 1887. p. 2 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ "Rossi's Bridge". The Goulburn Herald. New South Wales, Australia. 3 February 1893. p. 3 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ "Advertising". Goulburn Evening Penny Post. New South Wales, Australia. 4 June 1898. p. 5 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ^ "PUBLIC TENDERS". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 18,817. New South Wales, Australia. 6 July 1898. p. 10 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ^ "A.H.C. Guild". Goulburn Evening Penny Post. New South Wales, Australia. 26 July 1898. p. 2 – via National Library of Australia.

Attribution

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  This Wikipedia article was originally based on Rossi Bridge over Wollondilly River, entry number 01479 in the New South Wales State Heritage Register published by the State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) 2018 under CC-BY 4.0 licence, accessed on 2 June 2018.

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