Red Bridge (Tasmania)

- 41.9329147.4927175Koordinaten: 41 ° 55 ' 58.4 "S, 147 ° 29' 33.7 " E

Midland Highway ()

Elizabeth River

The Red Bridge is a historic road bridge in the center of the Australian state of Tasmania in Campbelltown, about halfway between Hobart and Launceston. The Midland Highway ( N1) crosses at the 1836-1838 convict- built brick arch bridge over the Elizabeth River. It is the oldest surviving brick arch bridge in Australia. and at the same time the oldest bridge in the course of a national highway.

Construction

The bridge has three arches, each with 7.6 m span and carries two lanes and sidewalks. About 2 million vehicles cross it each year.

History

The Red Bridge said to have been planned by James Blackburn, an architect from Melbourne, who was himself a convict was built from 1.25 million hand-molded bricks to dry and after it was finished, the river was diverted, that he went under the bridge.

The Red Bridge is considered since 1978 as a national monument.