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FormerSpringdallah Bridge

Location Over Springdallah Creek, Happy Valley Road,, SPRINGDALLAH VIC 3351 - Property No B6923 File Number B6923 Level Demolished/Removed

[1/4] B6923 Springdallah Bridge [2/4] B6923 Springdallah Bridge [3/4] B6923 Springdallah Bridge [4/4] B6923 Springdallah Bridge

Statement of Significance

Constructed in 1890-91, the six span Springdallah Bridge is historically, scientifically and aesthetically significant at State level. It is one of only two surviving examples of the "strut-and-straining-piece" variant of colonial strutted-stringer timber-bridge construction, and one of Victoria's oldest surviving timber road bridges.
This unusually tall road bridge has striking timber piers, with unusual twin raker piles at each pier extremity. It also demonstrates impressive masonry craftmanship in its bluestone abutment works, with sockets designed to take timber struts. Although the integrity of the structure has been compromised by later modifications (steel joists) and the ravages of time, Springdallah Bridge remains an impressive colonial artifact and makes an important contribution to the cultural heritage of this once populous goldfields district.
Standing tall and stately in a steep scenic "v"-shaped valley beside the modern roadside, this bridge impresses the viewer with a strong sense of Victoria's colonial past and European technical heritage. The significant cultural landscape includes the attractive environs of the antique strutted-stringer structure, which is set amongst rolling stony hills with notable winding old horse-vehicle road approaches still clearly visible in nearby paddocks.
Classified: 03/08/1998