# Wallaby Rocks Bridge > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Wallaby_Rocks_Bridge > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Wallaby_Rocks_Bridge.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallaby_Rocks_Bridge > Source revision: 1154927278 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Bridge in New South Wales, Australia Wallaby Rocks Bridge Wallaby Rocks Bridge in 2019 Coordinates 33°04′25″S 149°38′59″E / 33.0737°S 149.6496°E / -33.0737; 149.6496 Carries Hill End Road Motor vehicles only Crosses Turon River Locale Wallaby Rocks near Sofala, New South Wales, Australia Other names Turon River Bridge Turon River bridge, Wallaby Rocks Owner Transport for NSW Characteristics Design Allan truss Material Timber Pier construction Wrought iron cylinders Total length 91 metres (300 ft) Width 15 feet (5 m) Longest span 3× 27 metres (90 ft) 2x 8 metres (25 ft) No. of spans 4: 1 + 2 main + 1 Piers in water 2 No. of lanes One History Designer Percy Allan Constructed by Messrs. Taylor and Murphy Fabrication by Mort's Dock & Engineering Company (bridge cylinders) Construction start 1896 Construction end 1897 Construction cost A£4,700[1] Opened 2 October 1897 (1897-10-02) Inaugurated 20 October 1897 (1897-10-20)[2] New South Wales Heritage Register Official name Bridge over Turon River at Wallaby Rocks Type State heritage (built) Designated 20 June 2000 Reference no. 1458 Type Road Bridge Category Transport – Land Builders E. Taylor, Balmain Location Interactive map of Wallaby Rocks Bridge The **Wallaby Rocks Bridge** is a [heritage-listed](/source/Heritage_register) [road bridge](/source/Road_bridge) that carries Hill End Road across the [Turon River](/source/Turon_River), at Wallaby Rocks near [Sofala, New South Wales](/source/Sofala%2C_New_South_Wales), Australia. It was designed by [Percy Allan](/source/Percy_Allan) and built in 1897 by E. Taylor of [Balmain](/source/Balmain%2C_New_South_Wales). The bridge is owned by [Transport for NSW](/source/Transport_for_NSW). It was added to the [New South Wales State Heritage Register](/source/New_South_Wales_State_Heritage_Register) on 20 June 2000.[3] ## History Timber [truss road bridges](/source/Truss_bridge) have played a significant role in expanding and improving the New South Wales road network. Before the bridges were built, river crossings were often dangerous in times of rain, which caused bulk freight movement to be prohibitively expensive for most agricultural and mining produce. Only the high-priced wool clip of the time could carry the costs and inconvenience imposed by the generally inadequate river crossings that often existed before the truss bridge's construction. Timber truss bridges were preferred by the [NSW Public Works Department](/source/NSW_Public_Works) from the mid 19th to the early 20th century because they were relatively cheap to construct, and used mostly local materials. The financially troubled governments of the day applied pressure to the Public Works Department to produce as much road and bridge work for as little cost as possible, using local materials. This condition effectively prohibited use of iron and steel, which had to be imported from England,[3] until the steel works at [Newcastle](/source/Newcastle%2C_New_South_Wales) opened in the early 20th century. [Allan trusses](/source/Allan_truss) were the first truly scientifically engineered timber truss bridges, and incorporate American design ideas for the first time. This is a reflection of the changing mindset of the NSW people, who were slowly accepting that American ideas could be as good as or better than European ones. The high quality and low cost of the Allan truss design entrenched the dominance of timber truss bridges for NSW roads for the next 30 years.[3] Percy Allan, the designer of Allan truss and other bridges, was a senior engineer of the Public Works Department, and a prominent figure in late 19th century NSW. Timber truss bridges, and timber bridges generally were so common that NSW was known to travellers as the "timber bridge state".[3] Opened in October 1897 and built by Messrs. Taylor and Murphy of Balmain, the bridge is maintained by the [Transport for NSW](/source/Transport_for_NSW).[4] ## Description The Wallaby Rocks Bridge is an Allan-type timber [truss](/source/Truss) road bridge. It has three timber truss [spans](/source/Span_(architecture)), each of 27.7 metres (91 ft). There are two approach spans at one end and one at the other giving the bridge an overall length of 91 metres (300 ft). The timber truss spans are supported by painted twin cast iron cylindrical [piers](/source/Pier_(architecture)). The approach spans are supported by timber trestles. The bridge provides a single lane carriage way with a minimum width of 15 feet (5 m). A post and rail timber guard rail extends the full length of the bridge.[3] The bridge was reported to be intact and in good condition as at 22 October 1998. The structure is currently carrying more load than it is designed for and, as it is not unique, if it had to be rebuilt it would not be retained. Its design is seen elsewhere as are the iron cylinders supporting it.[5][3] ## Heritage listing Completed in 1897, the Wallaby Rocks Bridge is amongst the oldest examples of an Allan-type timber truss road bridge, and in 1998 was in good condition. As a timber truss road bridge, it has many associational links with important historical events, trends, and people, including the expansion of the road network and economic activity throughout NSW, and Percy Allan, the designer of this type of truss. Allan trusses were third in the five-stage design evolution of NSW timber truss bridges, and were a major improvement over the McDonald trusses which preceded them. Allan trusses were 20% cheaper to build than McDonald trusses, could carry 50% more load, and were easier to maintain. The bridge has iron piers, which is a rare technical and aesthetic feature, and has the ability to demonstrate much about the manufacturing technology of the late 19th century. In 1998 there were 38 surviving Allan trusses in NSW of the 105 built, and 82 timber truss road bridges survive from the over 400 built. The Turon River bridge is a representative example of Allan timber truss road bridges, and is assessed as being State significant, primarily on the basis of its technical and historical significance.[3] The Wallaby Rocks Bridge was listed on the [New South Wales State Heritage Register](/source/New_South_Wales_State_Heritage_Register) on 20 June 2000 having satisfied the following criteria.[3] **The place is important in demonstrating the course, or pattern, of cultural or natural history in New South Wales.** Through the bridge's association with the expansion of the NSW road network, its ability to demonstrate historically important concepts such as the gradual acceptance of NSW people of American design ideas, and its association with Percy Allan, it has historical significance.[3] **The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales.** The bridge exhibits the technical excellence of its design, as all of the structural detail is clearly visible. In the context of its landscape it is visually attractive, and the large three main span construction is an imposing presence. As such, the bridge has moderate aesthetic significance.[3] **The place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in New South Wales for social, cultural or spiritual reasons.** Timber truss bridges are prominent to road travellers, and NSW has in the past been referred to as the "timber truss bridge state". Through this, the complete set of bridges gain some social significance, as they could be said to be held in reasonable esteem by many travellers in NSW. The Turon River Bridge is held in some esteem by the people of [Bathurst](/source/Bathurst%2C_New_South_Wales), and contributes in a small way to the heritage tourism which is popular in the area.[3] **The place possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales.** Rare; in 1998 there were 38 surviving Allan trusses in NSW of the 105 built, and 82 timber truss road bridges survive from the over 400 built.[3] **The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural or natural places/environments in New South Wales.** Representative of Allan truss bridges.[3] ## See also - [New South Wales portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:New_South_Wales) - [Transport portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Transport) - [Engineering portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Engineering) - [Australian roads portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Australian_roads) - [List of road bridges in New South Wales](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Road_bridges_in_New_South_Wales) - [List of Allan truss bridges](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Allan_truss_bridges) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["A Big Bridge Building Contract"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126321456). *[The Maitland Weekly Mercury](/source/The_Maitland_Weekly_Mercury)*. Vol. 7128, no. 197. New South Wales, Australia. 9 October 1897. p. 10. Retrieved 20 November 2016 – via Trove, [National Library of Australia](/source/National_Library_of_Australia). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["The Turon Bridge"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article62042850). *[The Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal](/source/The_Bathurst_Free_Press_and_Mining_Journal)*. New South Wales, Australia. 22 October 1897. p. 2. Retrieved 20 November 2016 – via Trove, [National Library of Australia](/source/National_Library_of_Australia). 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-nswshr-1458_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-nswshr-1458_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-nswshr-1458_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-nswshr-1458_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-nswshr-1458_3-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-nswshr-1458_3-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-nswshr-1458_3-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-nswshr-1458_3-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-nswshr-1458_3-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-nswshr-1458_3-9) [***k***](#cite_ref-nswshr-1458_3-10) [***l***](#cite_ref-nswshr-1458_3-11) [***m***](#cite_ref-nswshr-1458_3-12) ["Bridge over Turon River at Wallaby Rocks"](https://www.hms.heritage.nsw.gov.au/App/Item/ViewItem?itemId=5051357). *[New South Wales State Heritage Register](/source/New_South_Wales_State_Heritage_Register)*. [Department of Planning & Environment](/source/Department_of_Planning_%26_Environment). H01458. Retrieved 2 June 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) [licence](http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/help/copyright-disclaimer.htm). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Allan truss bridges"](http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/projects/key-build-programs/maintenance/timber-truss-road-bridges/timber-tuss-strat-approach-appendix-1c.pdf) (PDF). [Roads & Maritime Services](/source/Roads_%26_Maritime_Services). pp. 9–10. Retrieved 19 November 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Bridge over Turon River at Wallaby Rocks"](https://apps.environment.nsw.gov.au/dpcheritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=4300155). *New South Wales Heritage Database*. [Office of Environment & Heritage](/source/Office_of_Environment_%26_Heritage). ### Bibliography - [Allan, Percy](/source/Percy_Allan) (1924). *Highway Bridge Construction. The practice in New South Wales*. - [NSW Department of Main Roads](/source/Department_of_Main_Roads_(New_South_Wales)) (1987). *Timber Truss Bridge Maintenance Handbook*. - Fraser, D. J. (1985). *Timber Bridges of New South Wales*. ### Attribution This Wikipedia article was originally based on [Bridge over Turon River at Wallaby Rocks](https://apps.environment.nsw.gov.au/dpcheritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=5051357), entry number 01458 in the [New South Wales State Heritage Register](/source/New_South_Wales_State_Heritage_Register) published by the State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) 2018 under [CC-BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) [licence](http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/help/copyright-disclaimer.htm), accessed on 2 June 2018. ## External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Wallaby Rocks Bridge](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Wallaby_Rocks_Bridge). - ["Turon River Bridge, Sofala"](https://www.flickr.com/photos/rhyspope/5310505875/). [Flickr](/source/Flickr). 29 December 2010. v t e Road infrastructure in regional New South Wales Motorways Federal Highway Hume Highway Hunter Expressway Pacific Motorway Brisbane–Brunswick Heads Sydney–Newcastle Princes Motorway Major highways Barrier Highway Barton Highway Central Coast Highway Great Western Highway Illawarra Highway Mid-Western Highway Mitchell Highway New England Highway Newcastle Inner City Bypass Newcastle Link Road Newell Highway Olympic Highway Pacific Highway Princes Highway Sturt Highway Minor highways Appin Road Bells Line of Road Big River Way Bruxner Highway Burley Griffin Way Castlereagh Highway Cobb Highway Fossickers Way Golden Highway Goldfields Way Gwydir Highway Kamilaroi Highway Kidman Way Kings Highway Lachlan Valley Way Memorial Drive Monaro Highway Oxley Highway Picton Road Riverina Highway Silver City Highway Snowy Mountains Highway Summerland Way Waterfall Way Other roads Alpine Way Barry Way Bathurst-Ilford Road Bucketts Way Bylong Valley Way Camden Valley Way Carnarvon Highway Escort Way Giinagay Way Goulburn-Oberon Road Henry Lawson Way Henry Parkes Way Irrigation Way Jenolan Caves Road Kosciuszko Road Macleay Valley Way Murray Valley Highway O'Connell Road Old Hume Highway Putty Road Remembrance Drive Solitary Islands Way Thunderbolts Way Wombeyan Caves Road Yanga Way Yass Valley Way Road bridges Abbotsford Balun Bindarray Beckers Bethanga Bland Creek Colemans Coonamit Cooreei Crankies Plain Dennis Dunmore The Entrance Fitzgearld (Aberdeen) Fitzgerald (Raymond Terrace) Gee Gee George Chaffey Glennies Goodradigbee Grafton Harwood Hampden (Kangaroo Valley) Hay Hexham Hinton Holt-Bragg Junction Karuah (Monkerai) Lennox (Glenbrook) MacDonald (St Albans) McFarlane McKanes Falls Macleay Valley Martin Mitchell's Causeway Mooney Mooney Morpeth Mulwala Mungindi Murray Barham Swan Hill Tocumwal Tooleybuc Nowra Rip Rossi Sea Cliff Sheahan Stockton Taemas Tea Gardens-Hawks Nest Tourle Street Towamba Vacy Victoria (Picton) Williams (Clarence Town) Wallaby Rocks Wollombi (Bulga) Yowaka (Greigs Flat) (disused/former) Denison Hampden (Wagga Wagga) Murrumbidgee (Carrathool) Old Cobram-Barooga Old Mildura Thornes Vehicular ferries Berowra Waters Lawrence Lower Portland Sackville Speewa Ulmarra Webbs Creek Wisemans Wymah Tunnels Cudgen St Helena Tugun Bypass --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Wallaby Rocks Bridge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallaby_Rocks_Bridge) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallaby_Rocks_Bridge?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.