Tharwa Bridge, Allan truss bridge in Tharwa, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Tharwa Bridge is a four-span Allan truss bridge over the Murrumbidgee River, carrying a single lane between Canberra and Tharwa village. Its deck sits at the height of the highest flood recorded before construction, and a mark on the western concrete pier shows the 1991 flood level.
Tharwa Bridge opened on 27 March 1895, when a public holiday was declared and 1,500 people watched Elizabeth McKeahnie, the area's oldest resident, cut the ribbon. Its deck was set at the highest recorded flood level, and no flood has overtopped it since. The timber Allan truss was designed by Percy Allan for New South Wales road bridges in the 1890s.
The bridge is named after the village of Tharwa it serves, and its opening on 27 March 1895 was marked by a parade and a regional public holiday, with 1,500 people watching Elizabeth McKeahnie, the area's oldest resident, cut the ribbon. The local community still treats the crossing as part of village life, and Engineers Australia recognised it with a Historic Engineering Marker.
Drivers should navigate carefully as the narrow single lane requires caution, especially when vehicles approach from opposite directions in the middle section. The best visit is possible by checking traffic from both ends and crossing slowly.
The deck height was set from the highest flood level recorded before construction, and no flood has overtopped the bridge since 1895. A mark on the western concrete pier records the 1991 flood level. Engineers Australia awarded the bridge a Historic Engineering Marker.
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