Historical information

These are photographs of the construction of the current cement road bridge across the Snowy River at Orbost. Construction of the bridges commenced in January 1975, with an expectation to open the bridge across the Snowy River as soon as possible. Less than two years later, on 25 November 1976, the bridge across the Snowy River was opened to traffic, allowing the old bridge to be demolished. The remainder of the Orbost Bypass, both the floodplain crossings and the eastern section around the township itself, was declared ‘Princes Freeway’ and opened to traffic in December 1977. (ref http://mrv.ozroads.com.au)

Significance

The opening of this Snowy River Bridge was an important development in the accessibility to the township of Orbost. These photographs record its construction.

Physical description

Two black / white photographs showing the construction of a road bridge across a river. 3257.1 shows piles being dropped beside the bridge, 3257.2 is of the early stages of construction of this bridge.