Abbotsford Bridge, Vertical-lift steel bridge in Curlwaa, Australia

Abbotsford Bridge is a vertical-lift steel structure spanning the Murray River, with a movable center section that can raise to allow river traffic to pass through. The bridge uses a mechanical lifting system to raise and lower its central span as needed.

The bridge was completed in 1928 by the New South Wales Public Works and was initially designed to support a railway extension across the river. The railway line never extended beyond Yelta, leaving the bridge to serve road traffic instead.

The name recalls Abbot's Ford, the river crossing where a punt once operated before the bridge. The lift span still works, and the bridge carries the Silver City Highway on a single lane controlled by traffic lights at each end.

Traffic lights control the single-lane crossing, so drivers must wait when vehicles approach from the opposite direction. The narrow passage means you should approach carefully and be ready to stop if needed.

The lift span still works, though it was built for a railway that never came: the Mildura line was meant to cross here but stopped at Yelta. In 1931 a paddle steamer struck the raised span and tore apart the boat's upper deck. The bridge is listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.