Tom 'Diver' Derrick Bridge, Bascule bridge in Port Adelaide, Australia
Tom 'Diver' Derrick Bridge is a bascule bridge spanning the Port River, connecting Francis Street to Victoria Road with four traffic lanes. The single-leaf structure lifts to allow large vessels passage while maintaining continuous road access between the dock areas.
The bridge honors Thomas Currie Derrick, who earned the Victoria Cross for his military actions at Sattelberg, New Guinea during World War II. Naming this crossing after him links Port Adelaide's infrastructure to the region's wartime history.
Local people gathered signatures in 2008 to name the bridge after their war hero instead of accepting the government's proposal. The name reflects community pride in honoring someone meaningful to the neighborhood.
The bridge is part of a major transport route connecting Port Adelaide to northern suburbs. Be prepared for brief traffic stoppages if large vessels need to pass underneath during your visit.
The bridge often goes unnoticed despite being an engineering solution that balances two competing needs. The regular lifting mechanism shows how port infrastructure adapts to keep both shipping and road traffic flowing.
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