De Burghs Bridge

Old De Burghs Bridge
Opening of old De Burghs Bridge in 1901
Coordinates	33°46′33″S 151°08′10″E
Carries	Lane Cove Road
Crosses	Lane Cove River
Other name(s)	Lane Cove Bridge
Named for	Ernest de Burgh
Followed by	Fullers Bridge
Characteristics
Design	Truss bridge
Material	Timber
Total length	90.8 metres (298 ft)
Width	5.5 metres (18 ft)
Longest span	50 metres (165 ft)
Clearance below	30 metres (100 ft)
History
Designer	Ernest de Burgh
Opened	22 December 1900
Inaugurated	23 February 1901
Collapsed	1994 (bushfire)
Closed	14 December 1967
Replaces	Older east/west bridge
Replaced by	2nd De Burghs Bridge
Location
References
[1][lower-alpha 1]

The first bridge with this name was designed in 1899 by Ernest de Burgh, after whom the bridge is named, and was opened on 23 February 1901.[2] It was situated downstream from the current bridge, within metres at the southern end, and about 20 metres (66 ft) away from the current bridge at the northern end. The single De Burgh timber truss bridge was 91 metres (300 ft) in length, the largest truss was 50 metres (165 ft), the longest timber truss span ever built in Australia.[3][4]

The old bridge was destroyed by bushfire in January 1994. The northern abutment on the ground is still visible, as are parts of the supporting piers. The new bridge offers a vantage point to view the remnants of the original structure.

The bridge was replaced by two large high-level multi-lane separate concrete bridges, built alongside each other, that opened on 15 December 1967.[2] The current bridge is a six-lane bridge that, unlike the original timber truss, is perpendicular to the river. This demonstrates how far road and bridge building had progressed by the 1960s, as previously it was dictated by the form of the land. One can see how the newer road and bridge is built right over any land formations, in contrast to the winding old road.

De Burghs Bridge is similar in form and function to Roseville Bridge, being a high-level multi-lane bridge replacing a low level, narrow bridge as well as windy approach roads.

De Burghs Bridge is an important part of a significant north–south artery which is the next road between the northern suburbs and the lower northern suburbs after Pennant Hills Road. The bridge carries three lanes of traffic each way and a pedestrian walkway on either side of the bridge. A plaque placed on the bridge pays tribute to the old bridge. It was placed there in 1988 before the destruction of the old bridge.[5]