John Whitton Bridge

The John Whitton Bridge is a railway bridge that carries the Main Northern railway line across the Parramatta River, located between the Sydney suburbs of Rhodes and Meadowbank.

John Whitton Bridge
John Whitton Bridge, looking south in September 2007
Coordinates33°49′S 151°05′E
CarriesMain Northern railway line
CrossesParramatta River
LocaleMeadowbank, New South Wales, Australia
BeginsMeadowbank (north)
EndsRhodes (south)
Named forJohn Whitton
OwnerTransport Asset Holding Entity
Maintained byNSW Trains
Followed byMeadowbank Bridge (former rail bridge)
Characteristics
DesignBox girder
MaterialSteel
Pier constructionConcrete
No. of spans5
Piers in water4
Rail characteristics
No. of tracks4
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
History
Construction start1952
Construction end1980
OpenedMay 1980 (1980-05)
ReplacesMeadowbank Bridge (former rail bridge)
Location

First bridge
Main article: Parramatta River railway bridge, Meadowbank

The original double track Meadowbank Bridge opened on 17 September 1886 as part of the construction of the Main Northern railway line. It was a lattice truss bridge designed by John Whitton, the Chief Engineer of the New South Wales Government Railways.[1] In 2000, the original bridge was refurbished and reopened for bike and pedestrian use.[2]

Second bridge

As part of plans to quadruple the Main North line, construction commenced on a new bridge to the west of the existing structure. The concrete piers were completed in 1952, before the project was cancelled. Work resumed in the 1970s, with a two-track box girder bridge opening in May 1980. The piers were extended to allow for a further two tracks to be built in the future.[1] The new bridge was named after John Whitton.

See also

References
  1. "Meadowbank (Parramatta River) Underbridge". New South Wales Heritage Database. Office of Environment and Heritage.
  2. "Walkway Plan for Meadowbank Bridge". Railway Digest: 9. March 1997.
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