Historical information

Taken between 1928 and 1930, depicted is the Bethanga Bridge under construction.

The Bridge was completed in 1930 and was built to assist residents of the Bethanga district to travel to Albury. Other bridges would become submerged by the backed-up water of the Murray and Mitta Rivers so the Bethanga bridge was built two miles above the Mitta Weir.

The Bethanga Bridge was built north of the future Hume Dam which would be completed in 1936.

At 2430 feet long, Bethanga Bridge was the longest road bridge in Australia at the time of its completion. The Bridge is 20 feet wide and made up of nine 270 feet long spans.

Materials used include ten tons of paint for the steel works; 1600 tons of steel; 900 tons of timber for the decking; and reinforced concrete for the piers.

The tender for the construction was awarded to C. Ruwolt Pty. Ltd., engineers who were located on Victoria Street, West Richmond. The contract was awarded for £71,890. It was predicted between 250 and 300 men would find employment on the project. The news was well received by trade unions at the time as there had been a drop in available engineering work.

Significance

This photograph is historically significant as it depicts the progress of the Bethanga Bridge construction, which was important infrastructure for the area. It is also a good example of methods used in the area to assist in travel over the river prior to the construction of the Hume Dam.

Physical description

Black and white rectangular photo printed on matte photographic paper.

Inscriptions & markings

Reverse:
1997 3186 /
84-19-3 /
This is the bridge. /
It is not yet open to traffic /
yet. will not be completed /
until May next /
It is a wonderful bridge the /
pillars are 100 feet high. /
KODAK PRINT

Envelope Obverse:
Peterson PHOTO /
Hume Weir

Envelope Reverse:
BMM 84-20-1,2+3.