Adelaide Bridge, SA
In 1853 a new crossing of the River Torrens in line with an extension of King William Street to North Adelaide was constructed on this site. Opened in 1856 it was a wrought iron tubular bowstring girder.
Within 20 years the bridge’s width (23 feet 6 inches) was too narrow for the traffic volumes.
The next bridge on the site was constructed with wrought iron plate girders. The bridge used the abutments from the 1856 bridge. By 1920 this bridge was not suitable for the traffic.
The current bridge, a three hinged reinforced concrete arch, was opened in 1931. The width of this bridge, 132 feet, matched that of King William Street. The bridge was designed by the City Engineer of the City of Adelaide.
Rehabilitation of the bridge and the extensions to the four main columns to allow for the installation of compliant lighting were undertaken in 1999.
