Timber Trestle Bridge over Springdallah Creek
Happy Valley Road HAPPY VALLEY, Golden Plains Shire
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Statement of Significance
What is significant?
The Timber Trestle Bridge over the Springdallah Creek is located on crown land road reserve adjacent to the Linton Pigoreet Road, Happy Valley. It was constructed in the 1880s to provide permanent access over the Springdallah Creek between the mining townships of Happy Valley and Pigoreet. The bridge is an early example of a colonial trestle timber bridge, featuring a 'strut-and-straining-piece' design, which is an unusual variation to the conventional strutted-stringer style of construction. Its integrity has been compromised by the introduction of later strengthening beams. Its intactness is compromised by the reduction of the decking. The bridge is in a ruinous condition. The Timber Trestle Bridge over the Springdallah Creek remains one of Victoria's oldest surviving timber road bridges.
How is it significant?
The Timber Trestle Bridge over the Springdallah Creek is of historical, architectural (engineering) and aesthetic significance to the Golden Plains Shire.
Why is it significant?
The Timber Trestle Bridge over the Springdallah Creek is of historical significance as a rare surviving example of an early timber trestle bridge constructed to link the local mining industry to the broader trade routes of Victoria.
The bridge is of architectural (engineering) significance as a rare surviving example of a timber trestle bridge from the 1880's, featuring a 'strut-and-straining-piece' design, which was an unusual variation to the conventional colonial strutted-stringer style of construction.
The bridge is of aesthetic significance for its ruinous but picturesque condition within the dramatic surrounding bush and farm land setting over the Springdallah Creek.-
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Timber Trestle Bridge over Springdallah Creek - Physical Description 1
The timber trestle road bridge located adjacent to the present Linton - Pigoreet Road over the Springdallah Creek. The bridge is situated on Crown land road reserve, within the parish of Clarkesdale. It is situated within a dramatic setting which includes steep cliffs, the creek below and folding hills either covered by bushland or open paddocks.
The timber bridge comprises six spans, across five cross braced four-pile tall timber piers, each featuring outer twin raker piles. A single angled bluestone abutment is located at the western end, and features sockets intended to support struts. The total length of the six spans is approximately 53.3 meters, with exceptionally long timber beam spans of 9.4 metres that were originally under-strutted (National Trust, citation). The bridge has been extensively modified with the addition of steel joists, RSJ relieving beams and a reduction of the deck to half its original width (National Trust, citation). The structure of the bridge is now in very poor and partly collapsed condition, with the eastern end of the bridge in a ruinous state. The decking is transverse and retains the majority of the balustrade, however the decking and balustrade at the east end of the bridge is missing. The approach at the western end is extensive, featuring the former Linton - Pigoreet Road road cutting, and remnants of a post and rail fence to the south of the current Linton - Pigoreet Road.
Timber Trestle Bridge over Springdallah Creek - Integrity
Its integrity has been compromised by the introduction of later strengthening beams. Its intactness is compromised by the reduction of the decking. The bridge is in a ruinous condition.
Timber Trestle Bridge over Springdallah Creek - Historical Australian Themes
The Australian Heritage Commission devised the Australian Historic Themes in 2001. The following themes have influenced the historical development of the Timber Trestle Bridge over the Springdallah Creek.
3 Developing Local, Regional And National Economies
3.8 Moving goods and people
3.8.7 Building and maintaining roads
Timber Trestle Bridge over Springdallah Creek - Physical Description 2
Extent of Registration: To the extent of: all of the timber bridge, including the bluestone abutments, located on the Linton - Pigoreet Road Springdallah (road reserve). See map of extent for details.
Heritage Study and Grading
Golden Plains - Golden Plains Shire Heritage Study Phase 2
Author: Heritage Matters P/L
Year: 2009
Grading: Local
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ROBIN HOOD COVictorian Heritage Inventory
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BRITISH GOLD MINING COVictorian Heritage Inventory
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WAVERLY GM CO NO.1 SHAFTVictorian Heritage Inventory
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