Wallaby Rocks Bridge, Allan truss bridge over Turon River in New South Wales, Australia
Wallaby Rocks Bridge is an Allan truss bridge that spans the Turon River with timber lattice work supported by cast iron cylindrical piers. The structure carries a single narrow lane across Hill End Road near Sofala and comprises three connected spans.
This bridge was built in 1897 by E. Taylor of Balmain as part of the modernization of road infrastructure in New South Wales. It represents the technical advances that allowed engineers to construct durable structures that could span rivers and connect isolated communities.
This bridge belongs to a select group of remaining Allan trusses in the region and demonstrates a construction method that was particularly common in New South Wales during that era. Visitors can observe the characteristic timber framework and cast iron supports up close.
The single narrow lane means only one direction of traffic can pass at a time, so travelers should expect to wait or yield depending on conditions. It is best to visit during daylight hours and watch for oncoming traffic when crossing.
The use of cast iron cylindrical piers under timber trusses was an unusual pairing of materials that demonstrated stability and durability in a novel way. This hybrid construction approach was tried in only a handful of bridges from that era and shows experimental confidence in emerging techniques.
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