A River Crossing
In September 1859 local residents formed a committee for the construction of a bridge over the Murrumbidgee River. A number of proposals were examined in December 1859 and a pontoon bridge, submitted by Fowler Boyd Price, was in favour. The committee planned to establish a Pontoon Bridge Company with a capital of £4,000 in 200 shares of £20 but the engineering experts from the Roads Branch of the New South Wales Department of Public Works objected to the pontoon bridge. The local committee agree to build a pile bridge which was recommended by New South Wales Department of Public Works. After the New South Wales Government refused to support this type of bridge the committee decided to finance it themselves.
On 23 August 1860 a joint stock company was formed to complete and maintain the bridge between Crampton and Travers Streets as well as to make a proper road to the bridge from existing streets. On 5 December 1861 the New South Wales Parliament enacted a bill to form the Wagga Wagga Company Bridge to build a bridge not less than 25 feet wide and 7 feet in height. The Act gave the Company authority to receive a toll, not exceeding £5 for most persons using the bridge. The Company's directors had to raise loans because the shares were not readily purchased as many people feared the bridge would be washed away by floods. The bridge was completed in October 1862 and opened on 27 October at just over 91 metres long and 7 metres wide.
In 1884 the New South Wales Government purchased the bridge for the public for £9,804. Tolls were ceased on 29 February 1884 at noon. In the 1890s use of the bridge increased. It's timbers were decaying and the bridge was in danger of collapse. The local Member of Parliament, James Gormly, appealed to the Department of Public Works to replace the bridge. The Wagga Wagga Company Bridge served the public for 33 years and was demolished in 1895.
In 1895 Hampden Bridge, a truss bridge was built across the Murrumbidgee River at Wagga. The bridge is regarded as being of heritage significance. On 16 August 2006 Hampden Bridge was closed and fenced off to the public due to the bridge being declared a safety risk after one of the trusses failed and demolishment of the landmark is being discussed.
Read more about this topic: History Of Wagga Wagga
Famous quotes containing the words river and/or crossing:
“Sitting in that dusky wilderness, under that dark mountain, by the bright river which was full of reflected light, still I heard the wood thrush sing, as if no higher civilization could be attained. By this time the night was upon us.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“This is the Night Mail crossing the Border,
Bringing the cheque and the postal order,
Letters for the rich, letters for the poor,
The shop at the corner, the girl next door.”
—W.H. (Wystan Hugh)