This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. The following text is the original citation considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Old Rakaia Gorge Bridge Gorge Bridge Road, Windwhistle When the iron suspension bridge was built over the Rakaia Gorge in 1880-82 there was a possibility that it might be needed for rail as well as road traffic along this important inland Canterbury route. The proposed railway never eventuated but the strongly constructed 57 metre bridge survives as one of the few nineteenth century components in the main highway network. It is a Bollman Truss bridge, following the design patented by a United States railway engineer in 1852, where a series of non-symmetrical trussed beams of iron are jointed to vertical members by hinged pins to facilitate construction. A sound design, it enjoyed brief success before it was superseded by more economical iron bridges and there is now only one surviving example in the United States. It is near Baltimore and though in poor repair, is recognised as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. Therefore the well maintained, continually used Rakaia Gorge Bridge has international significance as the best example of this interesting phase of bridge development. An important monument to the skills of early New Zealand engineers, this bridge is notable for its age, excellent condition and unique design.
Location
List Entry Information
Overview
Detailed List Entry
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1
Access
Able to Visit
List Number
272
Date Entered
9th September 1985
Date of Effect
9th September 1985
City/District Council
Selwyn District
Region
Canterbury Region