Historic Tabulam DeBurgh Timber Bridge

Bridges are not just functional, they can also be scenic and engineering attractions. Spare a few minutes to admire the Historic Tabulam Bridge, the longest single span timber bridge in the Southern Hemisphere. Completed in 1903, the Tabulam bridge is an early example of a DeBurgh timber truss road bridge. In 1998 it was in good condition. As a timber truss road bridge, it has strong associations with the expansion of the road network and economic activity throughout NSW, and Ernest DeBurgh, the designer of this type of truss. DeBurgh trusses were fourth in the five stage design evolution of NSW timber truss road bridges. Designed by Public Works engineer Ernest M. DeBurgh, the DeBurgh truss is an adaptation of the American Pratt truss design. The DeBurgh truss is the first to use significant amounts of steel and iron, and did so in spite of its high cost and the government's historical preference for timber. ...