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SWING BRIDGE

Other Names

SALE SWING BRIDGE , LA TROBE BRIDGE , LONGFORD SWING BRIDGE

Location

SWING BRIDGE DRIVE SALE AND LONGFORD, WELLINGTON SHIRE

File Number

PL-HE/03/0204

Level

Registered

[1/2]
SWING BRIDGE SOHE 2008
[2/2]
1 swing bridge over latrobe

Statement of Significance

What is significant?

The Swing Bridge, located over the Latrobe River approximately 5 km south of Sale on the South Gippsland Highway, was erected in 1880-1883 by Peter Platt, contractor, and designed by John Grainger, architect and civil engineer, who later designed Princes Bridge in Melbourne (1886) and was the father of Percy Grainger, the famous Australian composer. Prior to the construction of the Swing Bridge, a punt provided a means of crossing here from 1842, and a timber bridge was constructed on the site in 1857. However, the construction of the Sale Canal upstream (completed in 1888) necessitated the construction of the Swing Bridge, to enable river transport to proceed to the Port of Sale.

The bridge is an elegant wrought iron trussed structure, supporting a timber decked roadway. It is approximately 61 metres in overall length, with a balanced swing span of approximately 45 metres, revolving on a central pier through a hand operated winding mechanism. The central swing span, when in the open position, provided two openings 19.2 metres clear for river traffic. Brick abutments support the fixed approach timber decking.

The Bridge facilitated development of the Port of Sale and a regular steamer service operated up the canal for many years (1885-1920) with connections to Melbourne and the Gippsland Lakes. The Bridge was re-decked in 1933 and the structure strengthened in 1953.

How is it significant?

The Swing Bridge is of architectural and historical significance to the State of Victoria.

Why is it significant?

The Swing Bridge is historically significant as possibly the oldest bridge of its type in Australia. Its construction was pivotal in the development and expansion of road and river transport in Gippsland, and confirmed the Port of Sale's place as the centre of shipping activity in the region. The Bridge was designed and built entirely in Victoria and made an important contribution to development of engineering in the state.

The Swing Bridge is architecturally significant as the only bridge of its type in Victoria, with few others of this type and degree of sophistication elsewhere in Australia.

[Online Data Upgrade Project 2001]

Group

Transport - Road