Tas That Was – The Ross Bridge

History

The Ross Bridge was commissioned by Lieutenant-Governor George Arthur and designed by architect John Lee Archer.

It was built by convicts between 1830 and 1836.

Heritage

The Ross Bridge is on the Tasmanian Heritage Register and the National Heritage List. It has also been declared a National Engineering Landmark by Engineers Australia.

It currently receives protection under the Tasmanian Historic Cultural Heritage Act of 1995.

It is still in use today although since the completion of the Midland Highway bypass of Ross, large amounts of north-south traffic do not pass through the township.

Bibliography

• ‘The History of Ross’ (Visit Ross).
• ‘Ross’ (The Age).
• The Heritage Tasmania website.
• ‘Ross Bridge, Bridge St, Ross, TAS, Australia’ (Australian Heritage Database).
• ‘Ross Bridge, Macquarie River, 1836-’ (Engineers Australia).

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Tas That Was is a column that includes:

• anecdotes of life in Tasmania in the past;
• historical photographs of locations in Tasmania; and/or
• documentaries about locations in Tasmania.

If you have an anecdote or photograph you’d like to share with us, please send it to [email protected].