Red Bridge (Tasmania)

The Red Bridge in Tasmania crosses the Elizabeth River at Campbell Town. Built in 1838 using penal labour, it is the oldest surviving brick arch bridge in Australia,cite web | url=http://www.cintec.com/en/applications/Archtec/documents/red_bridge.htm | title=Red Bridge | publisher=Cintec International | accessdate=2007-08-10] as well as the oldest bridge anywhere on the National Highway. [cite web | url=http://www.dotars.gov.au/department/statements/1999_2000/media/ABudget4_99.aspx | title=Tasmania - Transport Spending | publisher=Australia Department of Transport and Regional Services | date=11 May 1999 | accessdate=2007-08-10] The bridge contains three arch spans of 7.6 m (25 ft) each and holds two lanes of traffic as well as pedestrian walkways. It lies on the Midland Highway, roughly halfway between Hobart and Launceston, carrying over two million vehicles per year.

It is said to be designed by James Blackburn, architect to Melbourne and a convict himself. [cite web | url=http://www.tco.asn.au/oac/local_attractions.cgi?oacID=47 | title=Local Attractions | publisher=Campbell Town Online Access Centre | accessdate=2007-08-10] It was constructed of 1,250,000 hand-made bricks on dry land, and after its completion the river was diverted to flow under the bridge. [cite web | url=http://www.thegardensfamily.com/cemeteries/CampbellTown/Bricks/index.htm | title=Tasmanian Memorials - Campbell Town Convict Brick Trail | publisher=The Gardens Family | accessdate=2007-08-10]

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