Burdekin River Bridge, Bruce Highway
This bridge spans the Burdekin River at a location approximately 17.7 km from the coast. It links the North Queensland townships of Ayr and Home Hill and carries both the North Coast Rail Line and the Bruce Highway. It is 105 km south of Townsville.
The Burdekin River high-level Road/Rail bridge was constructed between 1947 and 1957.
The river bed at the crossing is sand more than 50 metres deep.
The bridge is supported by waterproof concrete caissons, sunk through the sand 30m below bed level, and 15m below the calculated level of worst scour.
The truss superstructure comprises twenty-two approach spans and 10 main spans for an the overall bridge length of 1,103 m.
High strength bolts rather than rivets were used because the specialist labour required for the extensive riveting was not available and bolts enabled simpler and more rapid assembly.
The bridge continues to provide a flood-free road/rail link on Queensland’s coastal highway.
Engineering Heritage Recognition Program
| Marker Type | Engineering Heritage National Landmark (EHNL) |
| Award Date | August 2010 |
| Heritage Significance | |
| Nomination Document | Available here. |
| Ceremony Booklet Ceremony Report |
Not Available |
| Plaque/Interpretation Panel Image | Available here. |
