Como railway bridge, Railway bridge in Como, New South Wales, Australia

The Como Railway Bridge carries the Illawarra railway line across the Georges River between Oatley and Como. The original 1885 bridge is a single-track lattice truss structure designed by John Whitton, now used as a cycleway. A second reinforced concrete bridge, opened in 1972, stands immediately to the west and carries the current double-track railway.

The first bridge opened on 25 December 1885, carrying the Illawarra line from Hurstville to Sutherland. It was a single-track lattice truss designed by John Whitton, Chief Engineer of the New South Wales Government Railways. In 1894 the tracks were changed to a single gauntlet track so trains could cross in either direction without points. A second, double-track concrete bridge opened beside it on 27 November 1972.

The old bridge reopened as a cycleway on 15 December 1985, while the 1972 concrete bridge beside it still carries the Illawarra line. The name comes from Como, the suburb on the southern bank, and the crossing links Oatley and Como. Look for the steel outriggers added for the water mains.

The bridge is open to pedestrians and cyclists as a public pathway and provides a convenient crossing between the two suburbs. Visit during daylight hours for safety and to enjoy views across the river and surrounding landscape.

The two 24-inch (61 cm) water mains on the old bridge were added between 1935 and 1942 by the Metropolitan Water Sewerage & Drainage Board, carried on steel outriggers cantilevered from the main girders to pump water from Woronora Dam to the Penshurst reservoir. Ownership passed from the Railways Department to Sydney Water after the second bridge opened.