Rothwell Bridge Old Melbourne Road over Little River

The Rothwell Bridge over the Little River at Rothwell (now Little River township) was erected as a double-span segmental arch structure in 1866-67 from designed prepared by Shire of Wyndham Engineer, John Baxter. Clement Nash (who later sued the bridge committee for damages) was the contractor. The bridge and approaches was partially destroyed by flood in September 1880 and PE Nolan, Shire of Wyndham Engineer, designed the present segmental arch bridge from spans, apparently reconstructing the original section and widening and approaches. The Rothwell Bridge is an important early widening the approaches. The Rothwell Bridge is an important early bridge, representing traditional stone construction techniques and having important association with the road link between Geelong and Melbourne.

Geelong Regional Commission Register

Australian Heritage Commission Register of the National Estate.

Wynd, Ian - 'Bridging the Little' - Investigator, Geelong Historical Society Magazine, March 1978, pp. 12-18.

'So fine a Country: A history of Corio Shire' , typescript, 1980, p.75.

Alsop P. F. - Unpublished research notes on the Rothwell Bridge, Little River, including a detailed examination of Shire of Wyndham Minute Books 1863-1881 and record of construction

Group

Transport - Road

Category

Road Bridge