Gairloch Bridge
The Gairloch Bridge was constructed in 1890 – 1891 as a low level crossing of the Herbert River.
It consists of 14 spans each 14 m long and is 4.8 m wide. For its time it was innovative in design with the use of steel trough decking enabling it to be submersed during flood times.
The steel trough deck presented the least possible obstruction to the flow of flood waters and the debris it carries.
It also was one of the earliest bridges in Queensland to use Portland cement concrete in its construction for the abutments and piers. Previous bridges were generally of timber substructures. The original tarred metal infill for the deck was replaced with a concrete infill in 1894 after a flood did considerable damage to the tarred metal.
The Gairloch Bridge was the first road bridge designed by Alfred Barton Brady as Engineer for Bridges in the department of Mines and Works. Brady had a distinguished career rising to the position of Government Architect and Engineer of Bridges in 1892 and Undersecretary in 1901 until his retirement in 1922.
Engineering Heritage Recognition Program
| Marker Type | Engineering Heritage Marker (EHM) |
| Award Date | March 2014 |
| Heritage Significance | |
| Nomination Document | Available here. |
| Ceremony Booklet Ceremony Report |
Not available |
| Plaque/Interpretation Panel Image | Available here. |
