Alexandra Railway Bridge

The Alexandra Railway Bridge, constructed in 1898–1899, crosses the Fitzroy River and is an integral part of the original design of the Rockhampton Junction railway line, and is an important element in the development of the railway network in Queensland. The Alexandra Railway Bridge has been restricted to weight limits since 1922 when C16 class locomotives and heavier engines were not permitted to pass on the bridge when it was occupied by another train. The introduction of larger locomotives to Queensland Railways and increasing axle loadings has led to additional restrictions on the speed of trains when passing over the bridge. The walkway was temporarily closed the following year to allow the walkway to be repaired. In 2009, a 20-year-old motorist was charged after allegedly driving a Jeep along the railway tracks on the bridge before getting stuck approximately 70 metres from the southern end of the bridge. The incident halted rail services for five hours, and the line was reopened after a train was used to shunt the vehicle off the bridge. After some delays, the upgrade was completed by September 2021. An Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation attributed the cause of the incident due to a road-articulated trailer that was loaded onto a flatbed railway wagon as the Rockhampton-bound Aurizon train passed over the bridge. == Description ==

The Alexandra Railway Bridge crosses the Fitzroy River, with the southwestern approach adjacent to North Street, Rockhampton. The bridge originally contained a double line railway until 1975, when the eastern set of rails were removed, and the western set was realigned to a central position on the bridge platform. The bridge consists of five truss spans supported on two concrete abutments and four common concrete piers. The concrete piers are the width of the bridge, and have buttress-like quoining at each end, with rendered detailing. The two northeastern piers are located on the northern embankment, with the remaining two piers located within the river. The two concrete embankments have rendered details similar to the piers. The northeastern end has two riveted 8 panel through Pratt trusses with parallel chords and decking. A similar single truss is located at the southwestern end of the bridge. The centre of the bridge has two riveted 16 panel hogback double intersection Pratt trusses and decking on wrought iron caissons. A pedestrian walkway, located along the southeastern side of the bridge, has a metal handrail and balustrade formed by intersecting diagonal members. A metal plaque commemorates the opening of the bridge, with the name of those involved in its construction. == Heritage listing ==

Alexandra Railway Bridge was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992 having satisfied the following criteria. '''The place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland's history.''' The Alexandra Railway Bridge has provided a major crossing of the Fitzroy River since 1899, and is important in demonstrating the evolution of the railway network in central Queensland and in the city of Rockhampton. The bridge is an integral part of the original design of the Rockhampton Junction Railway, which included the double line street railway connecting Stanley Street station and North Rockhampton via Denison Street. The bridge was also strategically important during the Second World War, providing a crossing of the Fitzroy River for American military convoys. '''The place demonstrates rare, uncommon or endangered aspects of Queensland's cultural heritage.''' The Alexandra Railway Bridge is of significance for its riveted through Pratt trusses which were the first of their type in Queensland. It is also significant for its riveted hogback double intersection Pratt truss main span, which is the second largest of its type in Queensland. The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a particular class of cultural places. The Alexandra Railway Bridge is of significance for its riveted through Pratt trusses which were the first of their type in Queensland. It is also significant for its riveted hogback double intersection Pratt truss main span, which is the second largest of its type in Queensland. The place is important because of its aesthetic significance. The Alexandra Railway Bridge is of aesthetic significance, and makes an important contribution to the Rockhampton townscape and the Fitzroy River riverscape. The place is important in demonstrating a high degree of creative or technical achievement at a particular period. The Alexandra Railway Bridge is of significance for its riveted through Pratt trusses which were the first of their type in Queensland. It is also significant for its riveted hogback double intersection Pratt truss main span, which is the second largest of its type in Queensland. '''The place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland's history.''' The bridge is important as an example of the design work of Chief Engineer HC Stanley, and his contribution to engineering practices on Queensland Railways in the latter part of the nineteenth century. == References ==