The Birkenhead Bridge is a bascule bridge in Adelaide, Australia that crosses the Port River.
In February 1938, the Government of South Australia awarded a contract to Adelaide Construction to build a bridge across the Port River from Birkenhead to Port Adelaide, with Perry Engineering contracted to supply the steelwork.Bridge over river at Adelaide The Argus 8 February 1938 page 2 The bridge was opened on 14 December 1940 by Governor Malcolm Barclay-Harvey.Birkenhead Bridge Opened The Advertiser 16 December 1940 page 16Birkenhead Bridge SA History Hub It was one of only four bascule bridges in the world adapted for use by trolleybuses.Trolleybuses Trundle over Birkenhead Bascule Bridge Among Ourselves issue 87 August 1960Old bascule bridge gets new lease on life Engineers Australia 4 September 1987 page 9
In 2014, two of the four road lanes were converted into pedestrian and bike paths.Port Adelaide's Birkenhead Bridge still moving more than 16,000 vehicles daily in 75th anniversary year ABC Radio Adelaide 22 September 2015 In 2020, the timber road deck was replaced with fibre reinforced polymer and the timber footpath with aluminium.Birkenhead Bridge Upgrade Works Project Department of Planning, Transport & InfrastructureBirkenhead Bridge Deck Replacement McMahon Services
The bridge is listed on the South Australian Heritage Register.Birkenhead Bridge South Australia Heritage Places
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