Crankies Plain Bridge

{{Use Australian English|date=June 2018}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}} {{Infobox bridge | name = Crankies Plain Bridge | native_name = | native_name_lang = | image = 1466 - Crankies Plain Bridge - SHR Plan No 2666 (5051368b100).jpg | image_upright = 1.7 | alt = | caption = Heritage boundaries | coordinates = {{Coord|-36.8982|149.2692|region:AU-NSW_type:landmark|display=inline,title|format=dms}} | os_grid_reference = | qid = | refs = | carries = Main Road | crosses = [[Coolumbooka River]] | locale = [[Bombala]], [[New South Wales]], Australia | starts = | ends = | official_name = | other_name = | named_for = | owner = [[Transport for NSW]] | maint = | heritage = | id = | id_type = | website = | preceded = | followed = | design = McDonald [[truss bridge]] | material = Timber | material1 = | material2 = | length = {{convert|150|ft|m|0|order=flip}} | width = {{convert|15|ft|m|0|order=flip}} | height = | depth = | traversable = | towpath = | mainspan = {{convert|35|ft|m|0|order=flip}} | number_spans = Two | piers_in_water = | load = | clearance_above = | clearance_below = | lanes = | life = | first_length = | first_diameter = | second_length = | second_diameter = | third_length = | third_diameter = | capacity = | num_track = | track_gauge = | structure_gauge = | electrification = | architect = John McDonald | designer = | contracted_designer = | winner = | engineering = | builder = [[NSW Public Works|NSW Public Works Department]] | fabricator = | begin = | complete = | cost = [[Australian pound|A£]]2,964 | open = 1892 | inaugurated = | rebuilt = | collapsed = | closed = | replaces = | replaced_by = | traffic = | toll = | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 14 | mapframe-width = | mapframe-height = | mapframe-marker = | mapframe-marker-color = | mapframe-lat = | mapframe-long = | extra = {{Infobox designation list | embed = yes | designation1 = New South Wales State Heritage Register | designation1_offname = Crankies Plain Bridge | designation1_type = State heritage (built) | designation1_date = 20 June 2000 | delisted1_date = | designation1_partof = | designation1_number = 1466 | designation1_free1name = Type | designation1_free1value = Road Bridge | designation1_free2name = Category | designation1_free2value = Transport – Land | designation1_free3name = Builders | designation1_free3value = NSW Public Works }} }} '''Crankies Plain Bridge''' is a heritage-listed [[road bridge]] that carries Main Road across the [[Coolumbooka River]] in [[Bombala]], [[New South Wales]], Australia. It was designed by John McDonald and built in 1892 by the [[NSW Public Works|New South Wales Public Works Department]]. The bridge is owned by [[Transport for NSW]]. It was added to the [[New South Wales State Heritage Register]] on 20 June 2000.<ref name=nswshr-1466>{{cite NSW SHR|5051368|Crankies Plain Bridge|hr=01466|fn=EF14//4468|accessdate=2 June 2018}}</ref>

== History == State transport and public works records indicate that it was built in 1892 for a cost of [[Australian pound|A£]]2,964.<ref name=nswshr-1466/>

== Description == The bridge consists of two {{convert|75|ft|m|0|order=flip|adj=on}} [[truss bridge|truss]] [[Span (architecture)|spans]] flanked by two timber girder spans at each end (one {{convert|35|ft|m|0|order=flip|adj=on}} and one {{convert|30|ft|m|0|order=flip|adj=on}} span at each end). All are supported by timber [[Pier (architecture)|piers]] with piles driven into rock. The bridge width is {{convert|15|ft|m|0|order=flip}} between kerbs at its narrowest.<ref name=nswshr-1466/>

It was reported to be in generally fair to good condition as at 13 September 2005, with maintenance by Roads and Maritime Services as it is a functioning road bridge.<ref name=nswshr-1466/>

== Heritage listing == This bridge is a McDonald timber truss road bridge. Timber truss road bridges were extensively used in New South Wales because of the high quality of local hardwoods and the shortage of steel during the early decades of settlement of the state. The timber truss was highly developed for bridges in New South Wales, perhaps more so than anywhere else in the world at that time. The McDonald truss is a significant evolutionary link in the development of timber road bridges in New South Wales and has three standard span lengths, {{convert|65|ft|m|0|order=flip}}, {{convert|75|ft|m|0|order=flip}}, and {{convert|90|ft|m|0|order=flip}}. At March 1998 there were seven McDonald truss road bridges remaining in New South Wales, this bridge being a representative example. The bridge has been assessed as having State Significance.<ref name=nswshr-1466/>

Crankies Plain Bridge was listed on the [[New South Wales State Heritage Register]] on 20 June 2000 having satisfied the following criteria.<ref name=nswshr-1466/>

'''The place is important in demonstrating the course, or pattern, of cultural or natural history in New South Wales.'''

McDonald truss bridges have historical significance because timber truss bridges were developed and refined in Australia to achieve the highest level of timber bridge construction for the time of their design and the McDonald truss is an important recognisable design in the evolution of timber truss bridges in NSW.<ref name=nswshr-1466/>

'''The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales.'''

McDonald truss bridges have aesthetic significance because they are evocative of Australian methods of bridge construction, in their materials, scale and configuration they reflect and express nineteenth century technologies and experiences and for the time of their design and construction they demonstrate the best quality design available.<ref name=nswshr-1466/>

'''The place has strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in New South Wales for social, cultural or spiritual reasons.'''

McDonald truss bridges have social significance because their size and location contribute directly to the local area and they are a strong element in the local address.<ref name=nswshr-1466/>

== See also == {{stack|{{Portal|Transport|Engineering|New South Wales|Australian roads}}}} * [[Historic bridges of New South Wales]] * [[List of bridges in Australia]]

== References == {{commons category|Crankies Plain Bridge}} {{reflist}}

=== Bibliography === * {{cite web|author=|date=2007|title=Crankies Plain Bridge|url=http://www.visitnsw.com.au/Operator.aspx?ProductId=9019429}}{{Dead link|date=July 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} * {{cite web|author=Attraction Homepage|date=2007|title=Crankies Plain Bridge|url=http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/index.cgi?action=heritage.show&id=4300006}} * {{cite book|author=Hughes Trueman Reinhold|date=1999|title=Conservation Management Plan}}

=== Attribution === {{NSW-SHR-CC|name=Crankies Plain Bridge|dno=5051368|id=01466|year=2018|accessdate=2 June 2018}}

[[Category:New South Wales State Heritage Register]] [[Category:Road bridges in New South Wales]] [[Category:Articles incorporating text from the New South Wales State Heritage Register]] [[Category:Bridges completed in 1892]] [[Category:1892 establishments in Australia]] [[Category:Truss bridges in Australia]] [[Category:Wooden bridges in Australia]] [[Category:Snowy Monaro Regional Council]]